Théotime Ritzenthaler is a French-Swiss sculptor based in Norway, working across metals. Self-taught in metalworking since 2013, he went on to study at HDK-Valand, Steneby Campus (BFA in Metal Art, 2022) and the Oslo National Academy of the Arts, KHiO (Master of Medium and Material Based Art, 2024), where he developed his understanding of artistic process and how his work is staged and encountered when shown. He has exhibited internationally since 2019, with solo, duo, and group shows across Norway, Sweden, and France.
As a material based artist, my process starts with an exploration beyond the realm of traditional techniques, leading to a series of material experiments. In my work, forging, welding, machining, and other metalworking techniques are approached as sources of potential expression rather than means of production. I build a library of materiality across metals, guided at first by the traits of each material itself, while a combination of introspection, research and critical observation results in work that is rooted in craft, as well as conceptually articulated.
Instrumental forms present themselves as structures from which feeling has been purged. My work is built on the conviction that this is never true. No material, however functional, is ever truly inexpressive.
When my work is successful, symbolic expectation thins and what remains is a space where beauty can be noticed beyond convention. In that space, sculptures invite contemplation rather than instruct it.
Education :
2024 : Master of Material Based Art, Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Norway
2022 : Bachelor of fine arts in Metal, Gothenburg University HDK, Sweden
Solo Shows :
2023, January : Remains, Excavating Feelings, Galleri Seilduken 2, Oslo (Norway)
2022, October : Osteogenesis, Galerie Daniel Vignal, Vabre (France)
Duo Shows :
2022, March : “Visiting Grandma”, Ingrid Hopp-Hegg and Théotime Ritzenthaler, Dals Langed (Sweden)
2022, January : MATTERISM, Duo exhibition with Ingrid Hopp-Hegg, Fossekleiva kultursenter (Norway)
Group Shows :
2026, October : Metal Works, RAM Galleri, Oslo (Norway)
2024, July-August : Sommerutstilling, Galleri Semmingsen, Oslo (Norway)
2024, June : AVGANG, Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHIO), Oslo (Norway)
2023, April : The Sound of a Seed, Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHIO), Oslo (Norway)
2022, December : POINT TO POINT, LINK TO LINK – RHETORICAL FIGUR, Galleri Skranken, Oslo (Norway)
2022, October : Extended Family II, Stockholm Craft Week, Stockholm (Sweden)
2022, September : Durability Parameters, Galleri Skranken, Oslo (Norway)
2022, May : Exam Exhibition 22, Trädgårdsföreningen Gothenburg (Sweden)
2021, November : KALHYGGE, Kalhygge collective, Nya Magasinet, Dals Langed (Sweden)
2021, October : Vestiges, Galerie Daniel Vignal, Vabre (France)
2021, June – August : Fossekleiva kultursenter, collaboration with Ingrid Hopp-Hegg (Norway)
2021, 28 May – 31 August : Summer Exhibition in Österbybruck, (Sweden)
2021, 25-28 June : Focus Art Fair, Atelier Richelieu, Paris (France)
2020, November : Body of work, Dals Langed (Sweden)
2020, October : Various works, Bengtsfors Konsthall (Sweden)
2019 : Swedish Artist Blacksmiths Association convention, Dals Langed (Sweden)
2019 : Le métal dans l’art, Mulhouse (France)
2019 : Marché des arts Mulhouse (France)
2018 : Duod’art Mulhouse (France)
Curation :
2026, October : Metal Works, RAM Galleri, Oslo (Norway)
Grants :
Statens kunstnerstipend – SKS Diversestipend for nyutdannede kunstnere 2024.
Bildende Kunstneres Hjelpefond – kunststudentstipend 2024
Residencies :
2022, June : RESIDENCE ARTISTES EMERGENTS – ETE 2022 (France)
2022, January : Residency at Fossekleiva kultursenter (Norway)
Memberships :
Norske Kunsthåndverkere
Kalhygge Collective
Other :
2024 : Workshop / lecture : Materiality and display structures, Collège-Lycée Episcopal de Zillisheim
2023 : Lecture for the art students at Collège-Lycée Episcopal de Zillisheim
Publications :
Ongoing : Substack
2024 : Rubber, Steel – Metalwork as an expressive media
2022 : Orthopaedics
Press:
2024 : AVGANG : The World Is A Knot In Motion, Kunstavisen
2024 : The World Is A Knot In Motion, C-Print
2022 : Kubaparis, “Visiting Grandma”
2022 : Tired Mass, “Visiting Grandma”
2021 : No Name Collective Magazine, April issue
2021 : Albe Art Magazine, winter/spring edition
2021 : Marvelous Art Magazine, May issue
2021 : Art Hole 9
2021 : The Working Artist (I), Front cover
2019 : Le métal dans l’art, L’Alsace