Thomas Naegerl

In his oeuvre, the obstinacy of classical materials such as marble, bronze and wood enters into dialogue with organic processes. Naegerl respects the inherent qualities of the materials, but combines them in new ways to create tensions between permanence and transformation. This is evident in the series ‘Racines,’ which works with living vegetation, as well as in current projects on ecological architecture in Panama. This practice follows his concept of ‘taste intelligence’ – a conceptual exploration of the relationship between intuitive sensuality and orderly rationality. Parallel to his free sculpture, Naegerl uses urban space for activist impulses. Projects such as the ‘Bedenkmal’ (Memorial) or monumental works such as the ‘Wächter Grimming’ (Guardian Grimming) address cultural identity and collective memory. His international presence, including at the Cité des Sciences in Paris and the Museum of Sculpture in São Paulo, underlines his role as a border crosser who always embeds the physical form of art in global and ecological contexts.