Pair sculpture "Modern Life" (2021) by Leo Wirth, Bronze + concrete

"It's the details that matter" is the motto of sculptor Leo Wirth, and each of his works clearly demonstrates how seriously he takes this. This also applies to his depiction of everyday people, whom he is particularly interested in—people any of us might encounter on the street. "Modern Life" demonstrates this par excellence: The young couple appears ordinary and distinctly contemporary in every respect, and the detail goes far beyond clothing, accessories, fabric structure, and drapery. When Wirth speaks of the details that matter, he doesn't just mean the craftsmanship, but above all the implementation of the smallest, precisely 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 that sweeps out into the world that truly bring "Modern Life" to life. It is clearly a couple "on equal terms," ​​who feel a sense of belonging—be it in friendship or in love—and move through life with great affection for one another. About Leo Wirth: "It's the details that matter" is the motto of the sculptor Leo Wirth, and each of his works demonstrates how seriously he takes this. Leo Wirth works figuratively. He does so with great dedication to detail, so that his works—be they personal portraits, fountain sculptures, or religious and mythological motifs such as Saint Francis or the Roman fertility goddess Ceres—appear almost alive to the viewer. The same applies to his depiction of everyday people, in whom he is particularly interested—people whom any of us might encounter on the street. In his sculptures, he explores human strengths and weaknesses, as well as life's challenges. One easily recognizes 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 ventured into self-employment as a freelance sculptor. His success proved him right. Today, his large-scale sculptures can be found in public spaces from Dorum on the North Sea coast ("Dikeworkers") to Isny ​​in the Allgäu region ("Neidhammelbrunnen").