Couple sculpture “Modern Life” (2021) by Leo Wirth, bronze + concrete

"It's the details that matter" is the motto of sculptor Leo Wirth, and it's evident in every one of his works how seriously he takes it. This also applies to his depictions of everyday people, who are of particular interest to him; people any of us could encounter on the street. "Modern Life" exemplifies this perfectly: The young couple appears both ordinary and decidedly contemporary in every respect, yet the level of detail extends far beyond clothing, accessories, fabric texture, and drapery. When Wirth speaks of the details that matter, he doesn't just mean the technical execution, but above all the rendering of the smallest, meticulously observed gestures, which he captures and makes visible in the artwork: It is the young man's casual gait, his arm casually draped over his companion's shoulder, and her confident gaze sweeping out into the world that truly bring "Modern Life" to life. It is clearly a couple "on equal footing," who feel a sense of belonging—whether in friendship or love—and who move through life with great affection for one another. About Leo Wirth: "It's the details that matter" is the motto of sculptor Leo Wirth, and it's evident in every one of his works how seriously he takes it. Leo Wirth works figuratively. He does so with great dedication to detail, so that his works—be they portraits of individuals, fountain sculptures, or religious and mythological motifs such as Saint Francis or the Roman fertility goddess Ceres—appear almost lifelike to the viewer. The same is true of his depictions of everyday people, in whom he is particularly interested; people whom any of us could encounter on the street. In his sculptures, he explores human strengths and weaknesses as well as the challenges of life. It's easy to recognize oneself in the small, often humorous scenes from everyday life. In their skillful execution, the sculptures, some realistic, some expressive, invite both contemplation and reflection. Leo Wirth, born in 1956, graduated top of his class from the vocational school for wood and stone sculpture in Elbigenalp, Tyrol, in 1989 and subsequently took the plunge into self-employment as a freelance sculptor. His success proved him right. Today, his large sculptures can be found in public spaces from Dorum on the North Sea coast ("Dike Worker") to Isny ​​in the Allgäu region ("Envious Hammel Fountain").