The Bündner Kunstmuseum closed its doors on August 31, 2014 and will re-open in June 2016. In the meantime the Bündner Kunstmuseum is continuing its exhibition activity in its format of guest appearances, which has already been launched. With the exhibition of Michael Pankoks in the Klinik Waldhaus, Pankoks’ work will be extensively shown for the first time at the place where it originated.
Michael Pankoks (1894–1983) lived at the Klinik Waldhaus in Chur from 1951 up to his death in 1983. Pankoks was originally from Latvia; here too he was well known as a self-taught artist until his escape from the Soviet troops in 1944. Until that time he created several hundred works, mostly paintings, wood and stone sculptures, with which he drew attention to himself in numerous exhibitions. During his six years flight Mikelis Pankoks – Latvian spelling – spent his time mostly in German and Austrian camps. In the spring of 1951 the Latvian crossed the Austrian-Swiss border in Buchs where the European Aid transferred him to the clinic in Chur. Here Pankoks who had developed Schizophrenia did not resume his former artistic activity until 1960. He started carving various objects out of wood. In the process, he produced sculptural works, mostly in series, which covered such themes as cosmos, visions, man and animals. After his death 1983 Pankoks’ artistic legacy was handed over in equal parts to the Bündner Kunstmuseum as well as the Collection de l’Art Brut in Lausanne.
The exhibition in the Clinic Waldhaus draws attention to Michael Pankoks’ refuge, his second home and artistic domain. After the first and only exhibition in the spring of 1991 at the Bündner Kunstmuseum in cooperation with the head physician, Benedikt Fontana, Pankoks’ oevre is now shown at the place of its origin. Around 80 wooden figures are presented together with some original documents relating to different aspects such as paradise and garden, war, music or water.
Opening: Friday, October 10, 2014, 6 pm
Welcome Address: Josef Müller, CEO PDGR, Stephan Kunz, Director Bündner Kunstmuseum Chur
Introduction to the Exhibition: Nicole Seeberger, Research Associate, Bündner Kunstmuseum Chur
