Gerhard Stelzhammer began sculpting in 1995 in his spare time. Today, the Graz-born artist has made sculpting his profession. As in other areas of his life, he is self-taught in sculpting. He is a free thinker and a follower of Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy.
The artist’s favourite material to work with is white marble. However, other stones or Cretan wood also inspire the artist in his work.
He has been living and working on Crete since 2009 and also offers workshops there. In 2011, he and two other local artists organised the first open-air exhibition in his garden in Kondoura. However, as more and more artists wanted to take part, the Paleochora Art Week was developed, which took place for the first time in 2013 with 20 artists at 16 different art points such as tavernas and bars throughout Paleochora. As a result, Paleochora was transformed into a large exhibition space.
In 2014, 40 artists took part and over 3,000 people visited the Paleochora Art Week in the Town Hall’s main exhibition and at the other 17 Art Points. Further Art Weeks took place. In 2019, the last one was held in the old police station because the Town Hall has to be demolished and rebuilt.
Since July 2013, the stargazer – Astrini – can be admired on the sandy beach of Paleochora. The first contemporary depiction of a female figure on Crete. Some viewers asked: “What is that? A woman?” This question is to be understood in the context that there are only male figures to be seen in contemporary sculptures on Crete. The Astrini is on loan to the municipality of Paleochora.
In 2023, the sculpture “The Dolphin and the Turtle” was erected on the stony beach, not far from the ferry dock. The municipality of Paleochora wanted a sculpture to represent and promote the holiday resort. The beautiful sea creatures can be seen as a mascot, but also as a reminder that climate change is severely altering the sea.
In 2017, the artist moved his sculptures from Kondoura to Anidri. The sculpture garden was reopened there a year later.
Sustainability plays a major role for the sculptor, who is very interested in ancient crafts such as carpentry. Not a single tree was felled for the buildings, and the structures can be dismantled and rebuilt for the next generation. All the buildings erected and sculptures created are children of the sun, so to speak, and mobility has also been emission-free since 2021.
His artistic works have been exhibited in Crete as well as in many places in Austria, including Chania, Paleochora, Vienna, Linz, Salzburg and Bischofshofen. Gerhard Stelzhammer creates commissioned works on request.
