The Swiss city of Winterthur is celebrating the artistic legacy of Werner Ignaz Jans with an outdoor sculpture exhibition featuring 18 striking works by the late sculptor. The pieces, displayed at various locations throughout the city until the end of September, include figures carved from linden, oak, maple, and poplar wood, as well as two limestone sculptures. Most of the works depict human figures, though several animal sculptures are also featured in the collection.
Jans, who died three years ago at the age of 81, created these sculptures in his studio in Riet near Neftenbach. The exhibition spans nearly three decades of his work, with the oldest piece dating from 1984 and the newest from 2012. The works range from "Bedrängtes Tal" (Threatened Valley) from 1984 to "Im blauen Kleid" (In the Blue Dress) from 2012, showcasing the artist's evolution over time.
Among the notable pieces on display are "Badegast" (Bather) carved from linden wood, which now stands at Oberer Graben in the former home of the famous Holidi sculpture. Other works include "Fluchtversuch/Fluchthelfer" (Escape Attempt/Escape Helper) made from poplar wood, featuring both human and animal figures, and "Maulheld" (Braggart) crafted from linden wood. Additional sculptures such as "Gross-Kind" (Grand Child) from 2009 and "Der Mann aus Turin" (The Man from Turin) from 2000 have found temporary homes throughout Winterthur's old town.
Jans became widely known in Winterthur through his wooden sculpture Holidi, which lay at Oberer Graben for nearly 30 years and became an iconic symbol of the old town. The beloved wooden figure was removed in 2015 and now rests permanently at Rosenberg Cemetery. The current exhibition serves as a tribute to the artist's broader body of work beyond his most famous creation.
The outdoor exhibition, titled "Zwischen den Museen" (Between the Museums), was organized by Jans' son and one of his closest friends. According to his son, the goal is to bring art to the people, which was always his father's intention. The wooden sculptures are available for purchase, allowing art enthusiasts to own a piece of the artist's legacy.
In addition to the outdoor installations, several works are displayed in shop windows throughout the city, including at Teehaus Winterthur, Obergass Bücher bookstore, and Zäni-Lädeli on Oberer Graben. These indoor displays complement the street-level exhibition, creating a comprehensive showcase of Jans' artistic vision.
A special guided tour of the sculpture trail will take place during Winterthur's Culture Night on September 20, running from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Tickets for the tour can be purchased through www.winterthur.com/kulturnachttour, offering visitors an opportunity to learn more about the artist's life and work while exploring the temporary outdoor gallery that has transformed the city into an open-air museum.
