90 culture Pierre Zufferey didn’t follow the traditional academic path. With a Swiss Federal Certificate (CFC) in architectural drafting, he is entirely self-taught. The discipline gained from his first profession is now applied to his art: every piece is archived, signed, and numbered. Without the credentials of an art school, he built his reputation on the quality and consistency of his artwork. He is, undeniably, an artist. “All roads lead to Rome,” he says with a smile, referring to his unconventional journey. But he admits : such a path would be harder today. Young artists now graduate with Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees and enter networks, exhibiting andwinning awards even before fully launching their careers. ESSENTIAL ROOTS His studio is more than just a workspace—it's a living space, a place for exchange and encounters. He hosts artists, friends, and art lovers alike. “I’ve realized that opening up to others also opens us up to ourselves,” he confides. This philosophy of sharing is reflected in his many collaborative projects, whether with visual artists or musicians. Zufferey is a polymorphic artist, deeply rooted in his region. He knows the rivers, mountains, and light of Valais, drawing inspiration from them—raw material he transforms in his own way. Dissolving the boundaries between art and the real world is a hallmark of his work. ETCHING AND PHOTOGRAPHY While painting remains his core practice, Pierre Zufferey also works in black-and-white etching on paper. For him, it's a different, more introspective form of expression—like a breath, a pause from the choreographed gesture of painting. He’s currently collaborating with master printmaker Raymond Meyer on a theme related to the vineyard. Using fragmented vine shoots, he composes filament-like works, straddling the line between abstraction and raw material. Photography also plays an important role. Zufferey uses images as an extension of his artistic eye. When exhibiting abroad, photography becomes a tool—a way in. It allows him to adapt his projects to other contexts anddifferent cultures. For the past ten years, he has worked in Mexico, forming lasting relationships with galleries and institutions there. LEAVING A MARK One of his most striking "relocated" projects took place in São Paulo in 2011. He was invited by the prestigious MuBe museum, where several large works were exhibited. The show was followed by acquisitions that can still be seen in various institutions. Upon returning from Brazil, Léonard Gianadda invited him in 2012 to exhibit at the Pierre Gianadda Foundation in Martigny. “It was one of my greatest opportunities,” Zufferey confirms. Initially inspired by artists like Nicolas de Staël and Rauschenberg, he gradually developed his own visual language. While abstraction remains at the heart of his practice, his style has evolved, gently shedding its early influences. “Soulages had an obsessive vision : to explore black to the very end of his long life,” he reflects. Zufferey's own journey is less about obsession and more about patience and freedom. A CONSTANT EXPLORATION He works primarily in series, a method that allows him to dive deep into themes while offering clarity for the viewer. Whether it's landscapes of the Camargue, monochromes, or scenes inspired by travel, each series is a coherent immersion into a specific visual world. Publishing books is another key dimension of his practice. His last four monographs, for example, span 20 years of his art, making the evolution of his work visible. These are far from mere promotional tools—they serve as meaningful records of his collections. Zufferey also collaborates with winemakers, designingwine labels. These projects offer creative breathing room or him. His art is in constant flux—a reflection of his curiosity and thirst for freedom. “I enjoy giving myself permission to explore different techniques and ideas, to offer new visions. It’s a never-ending quest,” he concludes. His latest series, “Together,” inspired by schools of sardines, explores our capacity to live together. These paintings, drawing parallels between human and animal migrations, reflect the increasingly social dimension of his art. Zufferey is an artist to discover—and to follow—whose work invites us on an inner journey without borders. HIS CRANS-MONTANA An internationally renowned artist from Sierre, Pierre Zufferey has a real connection with Crans-Montana, where his work has been shown multiple times. In 2000, he exhibited at the Annie Gallery. In 2010, he participated in “Aminon’Art,” an open-air gallery concept installed along the ski slopes. Advertising-style panels invited skiers to pause and reflect. At one gondola arrival, one could read : “What is your path ?” In 2019, he took part in “Art Vision Solar,” using solar panels as creative supports.
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