PHILIPPE CRAMER
Philippe Cramer’s creations are often described in contrasting terms, reflecting his interest in diverse artistic currents, materials, and techniques. Words like bold, whimsical, pure, minimal, baroque, and sensuous have been used to capture the essence of his work, which is characterized by a remarkable degree of creative freedom.
Born in 1970 in the United States and raised in Switzerland, Philippe was named after his ancestor Philibert Cramer, an 18th-century figure celebrated in poems by Voltaire and paintings by Jean-Etienne Liotard. His family’s artistic legacy includes his uncle Gérald Cramer, who collaborated with renowned artists such as Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, and Henri Matisse on exceptional artist books, and his grandmother Adrienne Cramer, who opened a gallery in Geneva with Alexander Iolas and was closely connected to Jean Tinguely, Niki de Saint Phalle, and Meret Oppenheim.
Drawing from this rich heritage, Philippe began his career as a designer of furniture and jewelry, crafting pieces that are both dreamlike and practical, with a desire to enchant and furnish the world. Rather than focusing on functionality, he sought to highlight the essential nature of art, seamlessly merging different disciplines.
Today, Philippe concentrates primarily on Fine Art, utilizing traditional craft skills and contemporary production techniques he explored at the start of his career to bring his personal expressions to life. The richness of his unique approach is evident both in the formal aspects of his objects and in his philosophical outlook: balancing the heritage of tradition with the exploration of new models.
The Geneva Museum of Art and History granted Philippe “carte blanche” for an exhibition titled “L’Ornement Jamais.” The pieces created for this exhibition have since been integrated into the museum’s permanent collection and are now part of the Geneva State Heritage collections. His work is also featured in the collections of the Maison Tavel, Musée de l’Ariana, Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, MUDAC, Groupe Pictet, and numerous private collections. Philippe has been recognized for his contributions to the arts by the UBS Culture Foundation.