Current Practice
Artistically, I engage with questions of home, memory, and a sense of place. Frequent changes in location and language during my childhood challenged me to seek new reference points to navigate and connect with unfamiliar cultures. Torn between countries, cities, homes, relationships, and languages, I often found myself in an in-between state—everywhere at home, yet never entirely belonging. My own photographs, images from family archives, and collected photos from thrift stores—as well as other found objects—serve as inspiration and foundation for many of my works. I incorporate these materials into drawings, collages, and video installations. I also use video performance to interact with found objects in playful and absurd ways.
Short Biography
Alexandra Carambellas (*1970) born in London, raised in London and Zurich.
Lives and works in Athens and Zurich.
Studied Fine Arts at Central St. Martins College and Middlesex University in London (1997-2001).
After working as a travel consultant for a several years, I went to London to study Fine Arts. Returning to Zurich, I embarked on an eight-year teaching career at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) within the Master of Advanced Studies Spatial Design Programme. I led workshops and managed events including a collateral event at the Architecture Biennale 2014.
In 2012 I finalized my teaching degree in Adult Education. From 2014-2018, I co-led the Spatial Design programme at ZHdK and joined the artists-in-labs residency program in 2016 as a research associate. The programme facilitates artistic research and promotes transdisciplinary dialogue between artists and scientists. After a fifteen-year engagement at the ZHdK, I left in August 2018 to devote more time to my own art practice. Since then, I have been teaching creative courses in my studio.
Since 2004, my partner and I have been involved in a musical art duo named «The Lucky Couple» – a whimsical venture exploring themes of love, hate, and other absurdities.
Exhibitions
2024 why do I keep thinking, Galerie Beletage, Zurich
2023 Einsichten – visarte & friends, Photobastei, Zurich
2022 Blick auf Beuys – 7 Versuche einer Anknüpfung, Maxfisch Kunstbad, Zürich
2021-22 Best of visarte Zürich, 2021, Sihlquai 55, Zurich
2021 dimensionen, stand-by visions, Seebad Utoquai, Zürich
2020 Best of visarte Zürich 2020, Herderenstrasse, Zurich
2018-19 EXPOSITION XXS, KunstRaum R57, Zurich
2018 KUNST: SZENE ZÜRICH 2018, visarte Zürich, Quartiertreff Zehntenhaus, Zurich
2018 EXPOSITION XL, KunstRaum R57 anderswo, Zurich
2017 Untertage – visarte & guests present, Dolder Waldhaus, Zurich
2015 Thinking/Drawing, curious projects, Eastbourne, UK
2014 Schöne Bescherung, visarte, Art Dock, Zurich
2013 Entgrenzung, sihlquai55 offspace, Zurich
2011 Kunstszene Zürich, Zollfreilager, Zurich
2011 Brücken und Strassen zur Realität, Casa del Arte, Zurich
2011 open]art[space 2011, ehemalige Brauerei Potsdam
2010 Baustelle, stand-by-visions, Museum Bärengasse, Zurich
2009 Bildwelten_3, KunstRaum R57, Zurich
2009 Arte in Luce 2009, Villagio Olimpico, Turin
2008 Schwerelos, Badeanstalt Utoquai, Zurich
2005 Insomnia, Bargehouse – Oxo Tower, London
2003 Hinterland, Imagebase, Zurich
2001 Dis-mantle, Quicksilver Place Gallery, London
2023 Einsichten – visarte & friends, Photobastei, Zurich
2022 Blick auf Beuys – 7 Versuche einer Anknüpfung, Maxfisch Kunstbad, Zürich
2021-22 Best of visarte Zürich, 2021, Sihlquai 55, Zurich
2021 dimensionen, stand-by visions, Seebad Utoquai, Zürich
2020 Best of visarte Zürich 2020, Herderenstrasse, Zurich
2018-19 EXPOSITION XXS, KunstRaum R57, Zurich
2018 KUNST: SZENE ZÜRICH 2018, visarte Zürich, Quartiertreff Zehntenhaus, Zurich
2018 EXPOSITION XL, KunstRaum R57 anderswo, Zurich
2017 Untertage – visarte & guests present, Dolder Waldhaus, Zurich
2015 Thinking/Drawing, curious projects, Eastbourne, UK
2014 Schöne Bescherung, visarte, Art Dock, Zurich
2013 Entgrenzung, sihlquai55 offspace, Zurich
2011 Kunstszene Zürich, Zollfreilager, Zurich
2011 Brücken und Strassen zur Realität, Casa del Arte, Zurich
2011 open]art[space 2011, ehemalige Brauerei Potsdam
2010 Baustelle, stand-by-visions, Museum Bärengasse, Zurich
2009 Bildwelten_3, KunstRaum R57, Zurich
2009 Arte in Luce 2009, Villagio Olimpico, Turin
2008 Schwerelos, Badeanstalt Utoquai, Zurich
2005 Insomnia, Bargehouse – Oxo Tower, London
2003 Hinterland, Imagebase, Zurich
2001 Dis-mantle, Quicksilver Place Gallery, London
Solo exhibitions
2022 Ein Stück Heimat, Kabinett visarte Zürich
2019 Time Fragments, Atelier Relief Galerie, Lausanne
2016 Spuren und Geschichten, with Bruno Alder, Gleis 70, Zurich
2013 youngart.ch presents Alexandra Carambellas (Online-Exhibition)
2009 Crossroads, Projektraum *t20, Zurich
2007 Heimatland, station 21 – plattform für junge Kunst, Zurich
2005 In den Raum gestellt, Kunsthalle Artefiz, Zurich
Projects
2018 Co-production video material (with artist Nicole Henning). ISABELLE (by John Berger & Nella Bielski), theatre production by Volksbühne Basel, premiere at Druckereihalle Ackermannshof, Basel
2009 raumsprung – interlokal, Open Studios organised by the City of Zurich
2004 Project FUGE, Temporary use of the Housing Estate Bernerstrasse, Zurich (Verein pro Fuge, Pro Helvetia, F+F, HGKZ)
Press
2011 Das Bauhaus wacht auf: Open-Art-Space II in alten Mauern, Märkische Allgemeine Zeitung, von Lothar Krone
2008 Von Buchstaben und Zeichen, Solothurner Zeitung, von Pia Zeugin
2006 Die Ökonomie des Quadrats, Der Landbote, von Christina Peege
2005 Hinterhältig, 20 Minuten Week Magazin, von Jan Graber
1997 Künstlerische Ausgestaltung im Personalrestaurant Topolino, Die Brücke