Olaf Breuning is a Swiss-born interdisciplinary artist whose work is as eye-catching and provocative as it is diverse.<br /><br />A<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.gestalten.com%2Folaf-breuning.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"> recent book</a>, containing over 200 images, presents a cross section of this extensive work.
"Mr. Hand, Mrs. Ass, Mrs. Knee, Mr. Foot" (2004) —
Olaf Breuning is a Swiss-born interdisciplinary artist whose work is as eye-catching and provocative as it is diverse.

A recent book, containing over 200 images, presents a cross section of this extensive work.
Olaf Breuning, from Olaf Breuning, Copyright Gestalten 2016
Working across various artistic genres, including photography, sculpture, collage, performance and video art, Breuning's seemingly disparate oeuvre is unified by a shared visual language, referencing art history and appropriating elements of pop and media culture.
"Bridget" (2009) —
Working across various artistic genres, including photography, sculpture, collage, performance and video art, Breuning's seemingly disparate oeuvre is unified by a shared visual language, referencing art history and appropriating elements of pop and media culture.
Olaf Breuning, from Olaf Breuning, Copyright Gestalten 2016
His work is also characterized by a somewhat absurd sense of humor and irony.
"Camel Kuki (Camelops Femina)" (2013) —
His work is also characterized by a somewhat absurd sense of humor and irony.
Olaf Breuning, from Olaf Breuning, Copyright Gestalten 2016
"You have to know that the Swiss sense of humor tends to be more wacky and absurd and the jokes more subtle and less vicious. Many Swiss artists share this brand of wacky humor," wrote Alan Bieber in the introduction to the book.
"The Bedroom (I Never Invite My Friends Again They Are Weird)" (2002) —
"You have to know that the Swiss sense of humor tends to be more wacky and absurd and the jokes more subtle and less vicious. Many Swiss artists share this brand of wacky humor," wrote Alan Bieber in the introduction to the book.
Olaf Breuning, from Olaf Breuning, Copyright Gestalten 2016
But while many of his images may, at first, seem simplistic or purely humorous, they are imbued with layers of meaning and often a serious undertone, allowing the viewer various avenues for interpretation.
"Emojis" (2014) —
But while many of his images may, at first, seem simplistic or purely humorous, they are imbued with layers of meaning and often a serious undertone, allowing the viewer various avenues for interpretation.
Olaf Breuning, from Olaf Breuning, Copyright Gestalten 2016
"I am not a painter. I wish I could paint, so I try to find different canvases. It doesn't matter if it's snow, if it's people, if it's smoke," Breuning explained in <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dbu0e5NZhlY0" target="_blank" target="_blank">a 2014 video interview</a>.
"Dracula Burger (Eatmes)" (2007) —
"I am not a painter. I wish I could paint, so I try to find different canvases. It doesn't matter if it's snow, if it's people, if it's smoke," Breuning explained in a 2014 video interview.
Olaf Breuning, from Olaf Breuning, Copyright Gestalten 2016
Born in 1970 in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Breuning's interest in image-making began when his father gave him a camera at the age of 16. He trained as a photographer, studying at the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zhdk.ch%2F%3Fid%3D962" target="_blank" target="_blank">Zurich University of the Arts</a>, before stepping into the art world in the early '90s.
"The Terrace (I Never Invite My Friends Again They Are Weird)" (2002) —
Born in 1970 in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Breuning's interest in image-making began when his father gave him a camera at the age of 16. He trained as a photographer, studying at the Zurich University of the Arts, before stepping into the art world in the early '90s.
Olaf Breuning, from Olaf Breuning, Copyright Gestalten 2016
Over the course of his career, the New York-based artist has traveled around the world to create and exhibit his work.
"Cavewoman" (2000) —
Over the course of his career, the New York-based artist has traveled around the world to create and exhibit his work.
Olaf Breuning, from Olaf Breuning, Copyright Gestalten 2016
"Pop culture is part of the reality in which we live and it is quite natural for art to engage with it, " Breuning explained in the book.
"Helicopter Hair" (2008) —
"Pop culture is part of the reality in which we live and it is quite natural for art to engage with it, " Breuning explained in the book.
Olaf Breuning, from Olaf Breuning, Copyright Gestalten 2016
Despite references to contemporary and pop culture in many of his pieces, Bieber believes Breuning's does not feel dated<br />"His works defy any kind of categorization and, moreover, he continues to reinvent himself -- this is precisely what makes him so unique. His art is his life and his life is his art," he wrote.
"Ankunft II" (1999) —
Despite references to contemporary and pop culture in many of his pieces, Bieber believes Breuning's does not feel dated
"His works defy any kind of categorization and, moreover, he continues to reinvent himself -- this is precisely what makes him so unique. His art is his life and his life is his art," he wrote.
Olaf Breuning, from Olaf Breuning, Copyright Gestalten 2016
"Olaf Breuning," published by <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.gestalten.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Gestalten</a>, is out now.
"Olaf Breuning," published by Gestalten, is out now.
Olaf Breuning, from Olaf Breuning, Copyright Gestalten 2016