This year, we hosted our IB Visual Arts exhibition from March 19 to 26 in our Aula Felsenegg on the Zugerberg campus. In this special event, we put a spotlight on the work of our students Zofia and Gleb, who have each developed a unique artistic voice through their creative explorations. Their pieces not only reflect their individual styles and inspirations but also demonstrate the skills and artistic growth they have achieved through the IB Visual Arts Diploma course.
Gleb’s artistic journey: From a "newbie" in art to a visionary
Nineteen-year-old Gleb started on his artistic journey at our school three years ago with no prior experience in art. Thanks to the encouragement and support of our Visual Arts program, he has developed a distinctive style that now encompasses eight remarkable pieces, some of which have already been showcased in exhibitions.
One of his standout pieces is a sculpture that merges a mechanical engine part with a human heart, inspired by artists like H.R. Giger. When asked about what motivated him to create it, Gleb explains:
“I wanted to surprise the audience and highlight the similarities between a human heart and a motor. His artistic style oscillates between two extremes—either deeply unsettling or cartoonish and playful."
As he approaches graduation, Gleb plans to pursue a degree in economics while keeping art an integral part of his life. His long-term ambition is to create his own imaginative world, designing characters and mascots that may one day be featured in media or branding.
Zofia: Blending art with architecture
Seventeen-year-old Zofia, on the other hand, integrates architecture into her art, exploring space, form, and light through her creations. She designs environments that invite interaction and discovery, drawing inspiration from Antoni Gaudí’s organic structures. Her latest project is a model reminiscent of the flowing shapes of Casa Batlló.
“I want viewers to feel as though they can step into my creations,” she describes.
One of the most innovative aspects of her work is the integration of crocheted elements into her architectural models. By doing so, she pushes boundaries, demonstrating that soft materials can be just as structural and impactful as solid ones.
“The crochet structure filters light in a way that transforms the perception of space,”
Her style is characterized by repetition, perspective, and labyrinthine structures that invite the viewer on a journey of exploration. Looking ahead, Zofia plans to study architecture in the United Kingdom, focusing on sustainable building practices. Her goal is to design innovative, eco-friendly structures that are both functional and artistically inspiring.
Creative journey that blends art, architecture and innovation
Gleb and Zofia have impressively exemplified how art can enrich the educational journey of young minds. Their creations are not only a testament to their individual creativity but also highlight the inspiring environment that Institut Montana provides for artistic development. Discover the remarkable work and celebrate the talent and dedication of our young artists.
As we as a school believe, every child has a talent. Our mission is to nurture this talent.
The event attracted numerous local newspapers including Zuger Zeitung. Read the full article (in German) here.