Ian Waelder’s artistic practice explores memory and trace by isolating archival histories and language in relation to his biography, working through the poetics of the accident and the repurposing of the discarded. Waelder’s work spans a wide range of media, including photography, sculpture, sound, and installation. Central to his practice is a sense of porosity, allowing an encounter between stories and perspectives from the past and present. By using everyday materials such as newspapers, paper maché and cardboard, he gives shape to what has not been archived, photographed, recorded, or written, reflecting on the conditions and politics of memory formation. In addition to his practice as an artist, Waelder is the founder of Printer Fault Press, a publishing house and collaborative platform that provides space for the work of fellow artists, curators and writers.
Selected Works
Ian Waelder
Annie (Purse), 2024
Croissant, butter on newspaper (Süddeutsche Zeitung March 20, 2024), museum glass, transparent tape, wood
30 × 24 cm
Ian Waelder
Stain & repair (Handle with care), 2023
Inkjet print on cotton canvas covered with a layer of raw linen with water stains, ink, glue, tissue paper, glass cleaner, pencil, tippex and felt-tip pen
390 × 163 cm
Ian Waelder
1993 – (Figure), 2023
Gelatin silver print on Ilford resin coated paper
24 × 17,8 cm
Ian Waelder
The car of our time, 2021
Plotter print on cotton canvas covered by a layer of raw linen with oil stick, wood frame
263 × 196 cm
Ian Waelder
Romantic Gestures (Assembly Line), 2022
Inkjet prints on acetate film, found metallic object
53 × 10 × 5 cm
Ian Waelder
The Car Of Our Time (Background vehicle), 2021
Made in collaboration with the artist’s father Juan Waelder.
Esparto and plaster on raw DM plinth the height of his father’s shoulder (135cm)
38 × 76 × 166 cm (including plinth)
Ian Waelder
From time to time, 2022–2023
Two switched-on original Opel Olympia headlights (1935 model), wiring system, turnbuckles, sound
Variable dimensions
Ian Waelder
A Nose Is A Nose Is A Nose (Injured Bird, The Streets Are Still The Same), 2023
Used sneaker, papier-mache, tissue paper, cardboard box and sheet of anti-reflectiv
31.5 × 23.5 × 15 cm
Ian Waelder
From hip to fingertip (Opel upside down), 2022
Remainder of the acrylic resin mould of the Opel Olympia sculpture made in collaboration between the artist and his father, putty on wall, iron rods
33.5 × 35.5 × 30 cm
News
Special Announcement
Now Representing – Ian Waelder