Ursula Altenbach: Bridging Europe and Japan Through Art and Ikebana

Swiss artist Ursula Altenbach, also known by her Japanese artistic name Biko, has developed a practice rooted in cultural exchange, particularly between Europe and Japan. Her work spans painting, sculpture, and installation, and is deeply influenced by Sogetsu Ikebana, which she studied and taught for decades. Altenbach's engagement with Japanese culture began in childhood near Lucerne, Switzerland, and was reinforced by the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. She later taught Sogetsu Ikebana in Brazil to members of the Japanese Brazilian community. Her paintings often balance geometric precision with spontaneous expression, as seen in works like '7th Sense' and 'Steckenpferd.' Altenbach has exhibited across Denmark, Switzerland, Brazil, India, Spain, and Italy. A notable exhibition at Art and Soul Gallery in Mumbai, supported by the Swiss Foreign Ministry and Hyatt Hotels, translated her impressions of the city's contrasts into visual narratives. In 2024, she received the Pitturiamo International European Art Award in Florence. She also received the Golden Moon Award from the Sogetsu School during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sogetsu School approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027.