Kunstforum Solothurn represents contemporary artists who mainly work with the materials porcelain and clay. Exhibitions may also feature works in other materials and artistic genres if these form a part of an artist’s oeuvre.
In addition to running Kunstforum Solothurn, Hanspeter Dähler also draws on his expertise in the ceramic arts to collaborate with organisations and to curate exhibitions in various galleries and museums.
In 1987, Hanspeter Dähler and Christoph Abbühl founded the gallery in Bern. In 1996, they moved to a larger venue, a 170 square meter studio in Kirchberg, where they realised internationally recognized theme-based exhibitions, in addition to showcasing individual artists. In 2005, the gallery moved to its current location in Solothurn. Today, Hanspeter Dähler operates the gallery Kunstforum Solothurn, while Christoph Abbühl has a separate gallery on the second floor of the same building. Over the years, Kunstforum Solothurn has become an important gallery for ceramic art, not only in Switzerland, but also internationally.
Galerie Kunstforum Solothurn, 1st floor
Galerie Kunstforum Solothurn, Ground floor small room
Galerie Kunstforum Solothurn, Ground floor large room
Loaned exhibitions or works (selection)
- 1999, «Figure humaine», Galerie le Vieux-Bourg, Lonais-près-Morges
- 2008, «menschenbild», Galerie artworks Antwerpen (B)
- 2008, Xavier Toubes, «exquisite nomades», Galerie station8, Zuzwil
- 2011, «reflection», Galerie Bianca Laandgraaf, van Laaren (NL)
- 2011, «reflection», Galerie artworks, Antwerpen (B)
- 2011 I «reflection», Kunstruimte Hiemstra, Oldeberkoop (NL)
- 2012 I «reflection», Galerie station8, Zuzwil
- 2014, Masamichi Yoshikawa, Biennale Internationale de la Céramique, Saint-Cerque
- 2015, «l’ésprit de l’argile», Pippin Drysdale/Brigitte Pénicaud/Elke Sada, Galerie station8, Zuzwil
- 2015, Müller -b- , «lux, calme & volupté», Musée Ariana, Genève
- 2016, Akio Takamori, Keramiekmuseum Princessehof, Leeuwarden (NL)
- 2016, Pippin Drysdale/Akio Takamori/Xaver Toubes, Biennale Internationale de la Céramique, Saint-Cerque
- 2016, Pippin Drysdale/Brigitte Pénicaud, Werkgalerie Germann/Oswald, Boltigen
Mandated or collaboratively curated exhibitions (selection)
- 1997, «Berner Keramik aus Vergangenheit und Gegenwart», Keramik aus der Sammlung des Kantons Bern (Bereich 20. Jahrhundert), Bernische Stiftung für angewandte Kunst und Gestaltung, Hotel de Ville, Neuenburg / Museum Neuhaus, Biel / Kornhaus, Burgdorf / Freilichtmuseum Ballenberg, Brienz
- 2005, «swiss ceramics», Swiss Contemporary Ceramics, Contemporary Museum, Baltimore (USA)
- 2007, «Zwischen Gefäss und Objekt», Positionen im zeitgenössischen keramischen Schaffen der Schweiz, Villa am Aabach / Städtische Galerie Uster
- 2011, Audrius Janušonis, Musée Ariana, Genf
- 2013, Akio Takamori «Portraits Ordinaires», Musée Ariana, Genf
- 2013, Claire Curneen, Galerie Ferme de la Chapelle, Grand-Lancy / Fondation Bruckner, Parcours Céramique Carougeois 201
- 2013, Esther Shimazu, Galerie Maya Guidi, Carouge i Fondation Bruckner, Parcours Céramique Carougeois 2013
- 2013, Pippin Drysdale, Atelier Anne-Claude Virchaux, Fondation Bruckner, Parcours Céramique Carougeois 2013
- 2013, Gundi Dietz, Musée de Carouge & Espace Diamono, «Carouge», Fondation Bruckner, Parcours Céramique Carougeois 2013
- 2013, Masamichi Yoshikawa, Galerie Ligne treize, «Carouge», Fondation Bruckner, Parcours Céramique Carougeois 2013
- 2015, Krista Grecco, Galerie Maya Guidi, «Carouge», Fondation Bruckner, Parcours Céramique Carougeois 2015
- 2016, Gundi Dietz, «Essentielles», Musée Ariana, Genf
- 2017, Anne Rüede & Heinz Gerber, «Den Raum zum Klingen bringen», Schlösschen Vorderbleichenberg, Biberist
- 2018, «COME ON BABY, LIGHT MY FIRE» Double regards sur la collection de céramique contemporaine du Musée Ariana, Musée Ariana, Genf, mit Roswitha Schild
- 2019, Johan Tahon, «REFUGE/SILENCE», Musée Ariana, Genf
- 2022/23, Académie internationale de la céramique (AIC), «Migration(s)»
- 2024, «Akio Takamori – RÜCKSICHT» Keramikmuseum Westerwald, Höhr-Grenzhauseng (D)
- 2025 «swissceramics» Museo Vincenzo Vela, Ligornetto