Swiss graphic designer gets first retrospective in homeland

Bruno Monguzzi often uses contrasting pictural elements in his work. www.umbc.edu

One of Switzerland's most important graphic designers, Bruno Monguzzi, is scheduled to have his first retrospective of his work in his homeland.

Beginning on September 8, the Winterthur Museum of Applied Arts and Industry will exhibit works by Monguzzi spanning his prolific 40-year career, including posters, publications, packaging and sketches.

The exhibition will highlight the artist’s trademark, which was to use typography as raw material for his pictures.

Monguzzi was born in Chiasso, canton Ticino, in 1941. He studied graphic design in Geneva and photography and Gestalt psychology in London.

In 1961, he began his apprenticeship at the renowned Milan advertising agency of Antonio Boggeri, where he first began to combine contrasting visual elements, such as mechanical deign with more poetic and anarchical images

Monguzzi’s current work is still defined by the way it blends the rational and the intuitive, and also shows influences by Russian designers, particularly El Lissitzki.

Monguzzi now teaches at the Design School in Lugano, and at the College of Architecture in Mendrisio.

The retrospective runs until November 4.

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