Claus Bury

Claus Bury is a German sculptor best known for large-scale architectural sculptures, installations and bridges across Europe. This exhibition took place early in his career, when he was exploring and pushing the limits of goldsmithing in his art, a profession his hometown of Hanau is renowned for.

Melbourne artist Rex Keogh wrote in the introduction to the exhibition catalogue:

‘Claus Bury’s visit to Australia marks an important yardstick in the further development of contemporary metalsmithing in this country … I cannot underestimate the impact and influence this work had upon parallel activity occurring here in Australia. Bury’s creative achievements, together with those of fellow West Germans, provided a major catalyst and support to innovative work being launched in Melbourne and Sydney around 1970.’

The exhibition was brought to Australia by the Gothe Institute and featured sixty works, including sculptures made from gold, silver, and copper-alloys as well as prints, drawings and photographs by Bury. Ten of the works from the show were purchased by the NGV following the exhibition.