Niklaus Rüegg, born in 1977 in Männedorf (Switzerland), attended the the Zurich University for the Arts (ZHdK) and graduated with a Masters from the Higher Institute for Fine Arts (HISK) in Gent, Belgium. Rüegg’s work has several themes at its core, which he returns to repeatedly throughout his career, exploring them meticulously. He works in various media, including texts, paintings, drawings, objects and installations. One of the subjects Rüegg explores, is the sociologic footprint of our consumer culture, which he addresses in his large-scale installations, sculpted with cardboard trash, found on the streets of Zurich.
However, his gouache-painted comics are his most recognisable series, inspired by the classic Donald Duck cartoons, created by Carl Barks (1901–2000). In these large formatted strips, he finds ways of decomposing the source material and questioning the narration and sequential understanding of images in general. They are devoid of protagonists, speech bubbles or action. Leaving us with eerie, deserted spaces – holes for potential narratives to be inserted. Or to remain forever empty… Niklaus lives and works in Zurich.

Selected Solo Exhibitions:
2019 Ameisenwege, KŌBŌ Art Space, Zurich
2017 Nude Drawing, Convent Art Space CAS, Gent
2014 The Duck with Iron Pants, Galerie Bob Gysin, Zurich
2011 Gutschein für eine Topfpflanze, Benedengalerie, Kortrjik, Belgium
2010 Wind bläst um Apfelbaum und wirbelt Cowboyhut, Pistole und P, Kunst(Zeug)Haus, Rapperswil-Jona
2003 A gallerists’ dream, Galerie Bob Gysin, Zürich

Selected Group Exhibitions:
2020 EAC Peep Show, Studio Stalder, Zürich
2019 of colour, Helmhaus Zürich
2019 KIöR Zurich Rosengartenterrasse (AZB)
2016 Art Prospect, St. Petersburg
2016 Theater Spektakel, Zürich
2010 Leaf and Tiger, Het Domein, Sittard, Holland
2005 Swiss Art Awards, Messezentrum Basel
2002 Swiss Art Awards, Messezentrum Basel
2001 Swiss Art Awards, Messezentrum Basel

Selected Residencies, Scholarships and Awards:
2011 Kunstpreis Bundesamt für Kultur
2011 Städtisches Stipendium Zürich Stadt
2010 Aufenthalt Jaipur-Varanasi, Indien mit Stipendium der Pro Helvetia
2007 Werkstipendium des Kantons Zürich
2002 Kiefer Hablitzel | Göhner Art Prize
2001 Kiefer Hablitzel | Göhner Art Prize
2000 Kiefer Hablitzel | Göhner Art Prize