The Stämpfli Foundation – Contemporary Art announces with deep sorrow the passing of the artist Peter Stämpfli, which occurred this past Thursday, 19 February, at the age of 88, due to age-related health complications that had worsened over recent weeks. Born on 3 July 1937 in Deisswil bei Münchenbuchsee (Switzerland), he leaves behind an artistic and human legacy of exceptional magnitude.
Peter and Anna Maria Stämpfli’s relationship with Sitges began in 1970, when they acquired an old fishermen’s house on the emblematic Carrer d’en Bosc. Alerted by the risk of disappearance of some of its historic buildings, they progressively acquired three adjacent properties that became their regular residence, which they alternated with stays in Paris and Bern. In all cases, they maintained the utmost respect for heritage: they preserved the diaphragm arches, removed recently added partitions, and highlighted a 14th-century stretch of wall that had been integrated into one of the houses. In 1977, coinciding with the discovery of the wall, they organised the first of their popular Carrer d’en Bosc Festivals, during which the restored section of the wall was publicly presented and the Catalan flag was raised.
Over the years, the Stämpfli couple also integrated the former house of Can Mec, which became the Stämpfli Cultural Space, donated to the Grup d’Estudis Sitgetans. Later, they did the same with Can Serramalera, a key element in the future project of a foundation dedicated to contemporary art.
The Stämpfli – Contemporary Art Foundation opened its doors in 2011 in the building of the former Mercat del Peix, with a surface area of 940 square metres and an initial collection of 81 works donated by 65 artists of 20 nationalities. It is a unique collection in Catalonia, formed by creators who developed their careers in Paris during the 1960s and 70s, in a context of profound artistic and social renewal. Many of them were also close friends of Stämpfli. Its creation and consolidation have reinforced Sitges’ artistic leadership, which had historically stood out in Romanticism, Modernism and Noucentisme.
Internationally recognised –especially in countries such as France, Switzerland, Belgium and the United States– Stämpfli’s work is present in major public and private collections across Europe, the United States, Japan and South Korea. He held around sixty solo exhibitions –including at the Centre Pompidou and at the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume in Paris– and more than 230 group exhibitions.
The Foundation’s permanent exhibition presents his three major creative periods: the first, from 1963 to 1970, devoted to pop art and figuration; the second, from 1970 to 1990, marked by his iconic raised tyre imprint; and the third, from 1990 to 2003, more abstract and chromatic. The Foundation has also offered annual temporary exhibitions. The most recent one also consisted of a triple exhibition in which Peter Stämpfli was present: on one hand, with other major artists of Parisian Narrative Figuration; on another, with new variations of his tyre imprint; and finally, with a selection of previously unseen gouaches from his youth.
Peter Stämpfli was named Honorary Citizen of Sitges in 2004. From the moment he arrived, he integrated fully into the daily life and traditions of the town, while also participating actively in various cultural initiatives. His attachment to Catalan society was also expressed through the defence of the language and culture of the country. Establishing this contemporary art museum in Sitges and Catalonia was part of his commitment to the place he already felt was home.
The Stämpfli Foundation – Contemporary Art expresses its deepest condolences and thanks for the great outpouring of affection received. The artistic, social and human legacy of Peter Stämpfli will remain alive in Sitges, in Catalonia, and throughout the world.
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