WORKING WITH THE MATTER OF THE WORLD
Séverin Guelpa (b. 1974, Geneva, CH) is a contemporary visual artist living and working in Geneva.
In a time defined by climate disruption, resource depletion and the accelerating circulation of matter and energy, Séverin Guelpa develops a committed and sensory practice in which landscape becomes material and material becomes a language. For several years, he has travelled through deserts, arid regions, industrial zones, and shifting geographies, seeking to extract from them a physical and poetic truth. Guelpa’s approach is grounded in immersion, often through long-term residencies or expeditions. He settles into a place, observes, collects, and documents. Operating at the intersection of artistic gesture and field research, he investigates the complexity of a territory through moving and still images, sound recording, and the collection of raw materials, stone, earth, minerals, water, metal, which are later reintroduced into his installations. Each work becomes a direct imprint of a place, transforming its telluric forces into an artistic vocabulary.
Through his projects, Guelpa questions the relationships between nature and culture, forms of resistance and adaptation, and the tension between fragility and power. By giving substance to matter and voice to silence, he creates sensitive environments where sculpture, installation, architecture, and immersive film converge. His work invites us not so much to represent the world as to experience it, through large-scale, physical encounters that encourage viewers to move, listen, and inhabit space.
Following projects in the Mojave Desert (2014–2017), on the Aletsch Glacier (2016–2018), on the Kerkennah Islands in Tunisia (2017), and in several Swiss cities, MATZA, the collective platform he founded, expanded to Colombia (Medellín and Cúcuta) and Kenya (Nairobi) between 2022 and 2023. Guelpa currently works between the Mojave Desert (California), the Swiss Alps, and the Salar de Atacama (Chile), continuing his exploration of extreme territories and resource landscapes.
Since 2014, Séverin Guelpa has been invited to take part in numerous exhibitions, biennials, and major international events. His work has been presented at institutions such as the Palais de Tokyo in Paris and the Museu do Amanhã in Rio de Janeiro, and at international biennials including Mongolia, Athens, and Larnaca (Cyprus). These invitations reflect the recognition of a practice that places materiality and territory at the core of contemporary artistic inquiry. Originally trained in political science, Séverin Guelpa later obtained a Master’s degree in Visual Arts from HEAD (Haute École d’Art & Design), Geneva. He has since been invited to present his work and to lead lectures and workshops at numerous institutions, universities, and art schools in Switzerland and abroad.
ABOUT SEVERIN GUELPA`S WORK
RUMBLING WATERS / Some thoughts on the art of Séverin Guelpa. A text by Dorothea Strauss (Zurich, CH), 2023
ENERGY AS A VEHICLE / A text about the work of Séverin Guelpa, Simon Lamunière, curator (Geneva, CH), 2018
MATZA MOJAVE / About Séverin Guelpa, Bill Fox, curator and art historian (Reno, USA), 2023
SOLO EXHIBITIONS / EXPOSITIONS PERSONNELLES
2026 – WHEN UNCERTAINTY BECOMES TANGIBLE, Galerie Stephan Witschi, Zürich, 22.01 – 08.03.2026
2025 – BOXOHOUSE, Joshua Tree (USA), 02.2025, permanent work
2025 – ESPACE L, Genève (CH), 15.05.2025 (opening)
2025 – ROLEX LEARNING CENTER, EPFL, Lausanne (CH), 07.10.2025
2025 – KUNST KLIMA, Stuttgart (D), 11.2025
2024 – LES COLONNES DE BOUJAAFAR, Sousse (TUN), permanent work
2023 – TREMBLEMENT, Centre d’art Les Halles, Porrentruy
2022 – ECOUTER GRONDER LE MONDE, Université de Genève (Suisse), 15 – 27.11.2022
2021 – NATURE OF PROVIDENCE, Building Bridges Gallery, Santa Monica (USA), 4.9 – 5.10.2021
2021 – SUBSIDENCE OF GROWTH, Kunsthalle Arbon (CH), 2–31.10.2021
2020 – LA TERMITIERE, Théâtre de l’Orangerie, Geneva (CH), 8.7 – 23.9.2020
2019 – MATTER FOR DISSIDENCE, Kunstraum Walcheturm, Zürich (CH), 8.2 – 3.3.2019
2019 – DUPLEX ZEPPELIN, Meyrin (CH), 2.7.2019
2019 – BROKEN, Le Salon Vert Gallery, Carouge (CH), 15 – 25.9.2019
2017 – RADICAL BIOTOPE, Ferme Asile, Sion (CH), 29.9 – 15.12.2017
2017 – THE SUN BOWL AND THE CIRCLE, Amboy (USA), 08.2017
2016 – MATIERES PREMIERES, Halle Nord, Geneva (CH)
2015 – DRYLAND MOTEL LOBBY LAB, Amboy (USA)
2015 – THE BLACK ACT, Project Space MAXXX, Sierre (CH)
2015 – KAYENTA – Halle Nord, Capsule 2, Geneva, (CH)
2014 – STONES OF SUBSISTENCE, Le Salon Vert Gallery, Carouge (CH)
2014 – GOLDEN SMILE SALTY TEARS, Amboy (USA)
2013 – A CORN’S STORY, performance, Beijing (China)
2011 – FRIENDSHIP HOLIDAY HOTEL, Café CULT, Geneva
2011 – PERFORMA, UNI MAIL University building, Geneva
2011 – CHALLENGE THE DAY, Stargazer Gallery, Geneva
2011 – GLORIOSUS, Ex-Machina Gallery, Geneva
GROUP SHOWS / EXPOSITIONS COLLECTIVES
2026 – ART MONTE CARLO, Fabienne Levy gallery (FR)
2026 – ART GENEVE, Fabienne Levy gallery (CH)
2026 – (RE)CONNECTING.EARTH, Genève (CH)
2026 – EXPANDED FIELDS, Samstagern (CH)
2026 – FONDATION FIMINCO, Romainville, Paris (FR)
2026 – HIFLOW, Genève (CH)
2025 – PASSAGE, Gemmipass (CH), 5.07 – 02.10.2025
2025 – EXPANDED FIELDS), Froh Ussicht, Samstagern (CH) 30.08 – 27.09.2025
2025 – (RE)CONNECTING.EARTH, Genève (CH)
2025 – ST-MORITZ FILM ART FESTIVAL (CH)
2025 – OI FUTURO MUSEUM, Rio de Janeiro (BR)
2025 – LARNACA BIENNALE (CHYPRE)
2024 – BACKSTAGE, Engelberg (CH), 21.06 – 18.08.2024
2024 – LIGNE(S) 202, Vevey (CH), 29.6 – 23.08.2024
2024 – RUMBLING WATERS, Exposition de la collection la Mobilière, Berne
2023 – MARGE DE MANOEUVRES, le Manoir de Martigny
2023 – VIVEMENT DEMAIN, Bex & Arts, triennale d’art, Bex
2023 – TRANSFORMATIONS, Musée F. Gertsch, Burgdorf
2022 – LOS ANGELES ART SHOW, 12-16.01.2022
2022 – FMAC, exposition des acquisitions 2021, Genève, 21.12.2022 – 21.2.2023
2022 – CIDADE FLORESTA, Museo de Manana, Rio de Janeiro (Brasil), 4-12..6.2022
2022 – APPETIZERS 2022, Leuk Schloss, Leuk (Switzerland), 7 – 26.5.2022
2021 – EPHEMERE ET DURABLE, Au bord de l’Aire, Geneva (CH)
2021 – RESISTENCIA Y PODER, Centex, Valparaiso (CHL), 19.6 – 20.7.2021
2021 – MAGALLANES Y LAS GEOGRAFIAS DE LO (DES)CONOCIDO, Parque Cultural Valparaiso (CHL)
2021 – MAGALLANES Y LAS GEOGRAFIAS DE LO (DES)CONOCIDO, Suizspacio, Santiago (CHL)
2021 – RESISTENCIA Y PODER, Museo Regional de Magallanes, Punta Arenas (CHL), 2 – 22.11.2021
2021 – LOW TECH, Forum Meyrin (CH), 25.9 – 24.12.2021
2021 – APPETIZERS, Leuk Schloss, Leuk (CH), 25.5 – 15.6.2021
2020 – AVANT DEMAIN, Château de Pentes, Geneva (CH), 4.9 – 13.12.2020
2020 – TREMBLEMENT – Partie #1 (CH), 24 –27.9.2020
2020 – BONE FESTIVAL, Bern (CH), 10 – 17.8.2020
2019 – SUPERSTRUCTURE, Meyrin (CH), 2 – 3.2.2019
2019 – GET A NERVE, Geneva (CH), 28.1 – 3.2.2019)
2019 – PARADISE PARALLAX, Joshua Tree Treeniale, Joshua Tree (USA), 2 – 16.4.2019
2019 – LE BÜRO, Laurence Bernard Gallery, Geneva
2019 – SPIELACT festival, Geneva (CH), 1 – 11.6.2019
2019 – HEART GENEVA, Geneva (CH), 19.6 – 31.8.2019
2019 – LES DILETTANTES Gallery, Sion (CH), 18.6.2019
2019 – BALEAPOP festival, St-Jean de Luz (FR), 12 – 18.8.2019
2019 – POINT DE VUE, La Poudrière, Bayonne (FR)
2018 – ART GENEVE, Stand Aparté, Geneva (CH)
2018 – MASS IN MOTION, Matza, Aletsch glacier (CH) 27.8 – 9.9.2018
2018 – Galerie des Multiples, Paris (FR), 13 – 30.9.2018
2018 – UTOPIES VISUELLES, Sousse (TUN), 4 – 25.7.2018
2018 – JBAM#2018, Meyrin (CH), 16.6 – 15.9.2018
2018 – UNION TMF, Halle Nord, Geneva (CH), 7 – 22.6.2018
2018 – MANAGING NEW DISPLACEMENTS FROM GEOGRAPHY, Atacama desert (CHL), 10 – 20.7.2018
2018 – DE RETOUR DU GLACIER, MATZA Aletsch, Ferme Asile, Sion (CH)
2017 – COMMUN, Matza Kerkennah, Bardo national museum, Tunis (TUN), 14.4 – 7.5. 2017
2017 – DO DISTURB, Palais de Tokyo, Paris (FR), 21 – 23.4. 2017
2017 – JAOUI Festival, Tunis (TUN), 10 – 20.5.2017
2017 – NIGHT OF THE LIVING SCARECROWS, Geneva (CH), 9.9.2017
2017 – Triennale du Valais, Martigny (CH), 26.8 – 15.12.2017
2016 – STARING AXIS, 4th Biennale of Land Art (Mongolia)
2016 – UNDERGROUNDS, MATZA, Amboy 2016 (USA)
2016 – UNDERGROUNDS, Bâtiment 76, Genève (CH)
2016 – UNDERGROUDS, MATZA, Aletsch glacier 2016 (CH)
2016 – TWISTING CRASH – Romantso Art space, Athens (GR)
2015 – DRYLAND MOTEL LOBBY LAB, MATZA Amboy, (USA)
2014 – UN REGARD SUR LA VILLE, Bulle, Musée gruérien (CH)
2014 – AGORA, 4e Biennale d’Athènes (GR)
2013 – C’EST MOI QUI CHOISIS, LIVH (Live in your head) Geneva (CH)
2013 – CULTURAL CLASH, Leipzig (Alle), Strasbourg (Fr), Geneva (CH)
2013 – THE FAWN, THE FORD, THE ROSES AND THE STRETCHING TREE, Le voyage à Nantes, Nantes (Fr)
2013 – LANCY 2012, Lancy (CH)
2013 – BUREAU DE PRATIQUES RÉVERSIBLES, Espace temporaire, Geneva (CH)
2013 – STUDIO3003, International exhibition of young artists, Xi’An (China)
2012 – RATHANIA’S, Musée Rath, Geneva (CH)
2012 – EX-CORPUS, Ex-Machina Gallery, Geneva (CH)
2011 – JUNGKUNST, Winthertur (CH)
2011 – MANIFESTO, Toulouse (FR)
EXHIBITIONS AND PROJECTS CURATION / COMMISSARIAT DE PROJTS ET D’EXPOSITIONS
2023 – UNDER THE RADAR, MATZA Edgelands Genève (CH), 27.04 – 11.05.2023)
2023 – DIGITAL INFORMALITIES, MATZA Edgelands Nairobi (Kenya), 23.1. – 14.2.2023)
2022 – BLURRED LINES, MATZA Edgelands, Cucuta(Colombia)), 31.1 – 20.3.2022
2022 – COMMON GROUNDS; MATZA Edgelands, Medellin (Colombia), 22 – 31.7.2022
2021 – BIVOUAC (Labor–Matza), Lausanne (CH), 4 – 27.6.2021
2019 – SUPERSTRUCTURE, MATZA Meyrin (CH) 2019
2018 – MASS IN MOTION, MATZA Aletsch (CH)27.8 – 9.9.2018
2017 – FORGOTTEN LAND, Navajo reservation (USA)
2017 – COMMUN (MATZA Kerkennah), Iles de Kerkennah (TUN)
2017 – ANTICIPATING THE EXTREME, MATZA Aletsch (CH)
2017 – BIG, Biennale des Espaces d’Art Indépendants de Genève, Geneva (CH)
2016 – UNDERGROUNDS, Bâtiment 76, Geneva (CH)
2016 – UNDERGROUNDS, MATZA Amboy (USA)
2016 – TWISTING CRASH, Espace Romantso, Athènes (GR)
2016 – UNDERGROUNDS, MATZA Aletsch (CH)
2015 – STEELENGE, BIG, Biennale des Espaces d’Art Indépendants de Genève, Geneva (CH)
2015 – TWISTING CRASH, Le Commun, Geneva (CH)
2015 – DRYLAND MOTEL LOBBY LAB, MATZA, Halle Nord, Genève (CH)
2009 – SILSCREEN WORKSHOP, Agent double Geneva (CH)
2009 – OFF SPACES, Espaces temporaires – laboratoire d’art et d’actions collectives, Geneva (CH)
AWARDS, RESIDENCIES AND PUBLIC COLLECTIONS / BOURSES, PRIX RESIDENCES ET FONDS PUBLIC
2020 – Swiss art award (finalist)
2018 – Prix Picker Aparté 2017-2018
2016 – Prix Artpro pour projet expérimental, Canton du Valais
2013 – Prix “Coup de coeur” des amis de la Fondation AHEAD, Genève
2021 – BUILDING BRIDGES residency, Los Angeles (USA), 14.8 – 10.9.2021
2020 – CAB Residency, Punta Arenas, Patagonie (CHL), 18.1 – 5.2.2020
2019 – HEARINGS, site specific intervenetion, Manaus (BR), 6-12.10.2019
2019 – BOXO Residency, Joshua tree, USA (20.3-12.4.2019)
COLLECTIONS
Collection d’art de la Mobilière
Fonds cantonal d’art contemporain du Canton de Genève (CH)
Fonds municipal d’art contemporain de la Ville de Genève (CH)
Fonds municipal d’art contemporain de la Ville de Meyrin (CH)
Art + Museum, Donaueschingen (D)
MANDATES, LECTURES AND TEACHINGS / MANDATS, CONFERENCES ET ENSEIGNEMENTS
2021 – UNCOVER Aletsch 2021 (CH), workshop
2021 – UNCOVER Zermatt (CH), workshop
2020 – 22 – EDHEA, Ecole d’art et de design de Sierre (CH), associate research artist
2020 – EDHEA, Ecole d’art et de design de Sierre (CH), invited artist
2020 – UNCOVER Aletsch 2020 (CH), workshop
2018 – ENERGY AS A VEHICLE, CCS, Centre culturel suisse, lecture, 18.3.2018
2018 – ENERGY AS A VEHICLE, Centre d’art contemporain, cinéma Dynamo, Genève, conference, 16.10.2018
2018 – ENERGY AS A VEHICLE, Kunstraum Walcheturm, conference 27.9.2018
2018 – SNOW CITY, Sandberg Institute, Lac de Lioson (CH), workshop
2017 – DRYLAB 2023, Phoenix University, Amboy (USA), workshop,
2017 – MAKING THINGS COMMON, UCLA Summer Institute, Los Angeles (USA), conference
2017 – UCLA, Art&Sci Center, Los Angeles (USA), conference
2017 – ALONG ECOLOGICAL LINES, EDHEA, Valais (CH), workshop
2017 – LE MANIFESTE DU COMMUN, EDHEA, Valais (CH), workshop
2017 – CONDUITE FORCEE, Sion (CH), workshop, EPFL-HEAD
2016 – L’EAU, SOURCE DU TERRITOIRE, Sion (CH), workshop, EPFL- HEAD
2017 – EPFL, Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne – chargé de cours 2016-17
2016 – CCC, Conseil consultatif de la culture, Genève (member 2016-2019)
2013 – FPLCE, Fondation pour la promotion de la culture émergente, Geneva (member 2013-2016)
2011 – ZABRISKIE POINT – espace d’art indépendant, Geneva (CH), co-curation until 2015
2010 – LE VELODROME – centre autogéré d’artistes, Geneva (CH), president until 2012
EDUCATION / FORMATION
Master en arts visuels, Head, Geneva (2013)
Licence en Sciences politiques, Geneva University (1997)
