“I translate spontaneous thoughts on social and political topics into bizarre and comical messages, into words and symbols of disarming immediacy. At the same time, I transport the promising and illusory world of glamour into subtle quotations of pictures and text. The banality of everyday life is disregarded, as are the dramas of the political agenda. I find my material in cheap novels, fashion magazines, advertisements, and the virtual world. I want to break the precious illusion of supposed exclusivity and present an abysmal view of society.” Beni Bischof
Beni Bischof is a contemporary Swiss artist, born in 1976, whose work spans a wide range of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, collage and site specific art installations. Known for his critical engagement with modern culture, Bischof's art often incorporates elements of absurdity, satire, and social commentary. His works address themes such as consumerism, media influence, and societal norms, often challenging conventional perceptions through a deliberately provocative and unconventional aesthetic.
Bischof's use of found objects, altered photographs, and distorted imagery reflects a deliberate blending of high art with everyday visual culture. His distinctive approach, marked by a bold use of color and form, serves as a critique of contemporary life and the art world itself. Through his exploration of the absurd, Bischof pushes the boundaries between the serious and the trivial, offering a complex commentary on the state of modern society. His work has been exhibited internationally, gaining recognition for its incisive, often subversive approach to cultural critique.
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In 2005, he began publishing his own self-made zine, titled Laser magazine, to distribute his drawings, collages and texts. He continues to release new issues at irregular intervals, in small editions. In addition to this, Beni Bischof has made other notable publications, such as Bambi (2017), Rambo (2016) and the iconic Psychobuch (2014). The latter offers a comprehensive overview of his artistic career.
Beni Bischof has had numerous solo and group exhibitions in Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and more. His is currently on view at MOMU Antwerp with “Do Nothing Club”, an installation in collaboration with Belgian designer Meryll Rogge. Other notable shows include: “Made on Earth by Humans”, Biennale Images Vevey, CH (2024), “Faking the real”, Kunsthaus Graz, AUT (2022), “Blicke aus der Zeit”, Kunstmuseum St. Gallen, CH (2021), as well as the solo show “Mom, are we in a movie?” in 2021 at PLUS-ONE Gallery, Antwerp.
Bischof’s works are included in various private and public collections such as Kunstmuseum St. Gallen, Fotomuseum Winterthur, Centre de la Gravure et de l’Image imprimée Belgium and Helvetia Art Foyer Basel.
