Alois Spichtig (25 March 1927, in

Sachseln Sachseln is a village and municipality in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland. Besides the village of Sachseln, the municipality includes the hamlets of Edisried, Ewil and Flüeli-Ranft. History Sachseln is first mentioned in 1173 as ''Saxhslen ...

– 24 July 2014, in

) was a Swiss graphic artist and sculptor.

Biography

Early life and education

Spichtig was born in the hamlet Edisried and raised in Sachseln. In the father and grandfather's workshop, he learned how to use timber and completed an apprenticeship as a white

cooper Cooper, Cooper's, Coopers and similar may refer to: * Cooper (profession), a maker of wooden casks and other staved vessels Arts and entertainment * Cooper (producers), alias of Dutch producers Klubbheads * Cooper (video game character), in ...

. He was a guest instructor at the

Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (german: Hochschule Luzern) (HSLU) is one of seven regional, public-funded universities of applied sciences founded in 1997 in its current form. The University was called University of Applied Scienc ...

and continued his education with a three-month stay in Paris. He began creating grave signs, first wooden and then stone in collaboration with a fellow sculptor.

Work

Spichtig worked on over 40 churches and chapels throughout Switzerland, artistically designing rooms, including 15 liturgical rooms in his home of Obwalden. Spichtig's work was strongly anchored to his home and was inspired by the Patron Saint

Nicholas of Flüe Nicholas of Flüe (german: Niklaus von Flüe; 1417 – 21 March 1487) was a Swiss hermit and ascetic who is the patron saint of Switzerland. He is sometimes invoked as Brother Klaus. A farmer, military leader, member of the assembly, councillo ...

. He was one of the initiators of the Museum Bruder Klaus Sachseln and designed the permanent exhibition shown from 1976 to 2011. From 1976 to 1992, he headed the museum. The highlight of this period was the exhibition "Nicholas of Flue" and included bringing 30 major Swiss artist to Obwalden.

Awards

*1996 Recognition Award of the

Heinrich Federer Heinrich Federer (6 October 1866 – 29 April 1928) was a Swiss writer and Catholic priest. Biography Federer was born on 6 October 1866 in the Bernese village of Brienz. His father, Johann Paul Federer, was a wood carver and school teache ...

Foundation *2010 Obwaldner Culture AwardObwaldner Kulturpreis geht an Alois Spichtig

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spichtig, Alois 1927 births 2014 deaths People from Obwalden Swiss artists