Till Rabus: Hyperrealist Paintings Critique Swiss Identity

Till Rabus, a 33-year-old Swiss painter hailing from Neuchâtel, born in 1975, is known for his hyperrealist oil paintings that merge technical skill with a critical sense of irony. After training as an engraver at the École des métiers d'art de La Chaux-de-Fonds, he chose to leave a career in luxury watches to embrace art, spending time in Brazil. His artistic repertoire includes large-scale oils, sculptures, and marquetry, influenced by figures such as James Rosenquist, the Chapman brothers, and Sarah Lucas. Co-managing the Centre d'art de Neuchâtel (CAN), Rabus often begins his paintings with digital photos; his 2007-2008 series 'Ikebanas' featured still lifes made from trash bags. He meticulously paints every detail by hand, unlike Damien Hirst. He is represented by Galerie Laurent Godin in Paris and has held solo exhibitions in Frankfurt, Schwaz, and Brussels in 2009. This article was penned by Sébastien Planas.