The exhibition, which starts on May 24, is already visible on the display window of Meister 1881, a Zurich-based jewelry, watch, and silverware business. It offers a good, in-depth view of Anna Maier's work with four natural elements. In total, about 20 artworks will be displayed in a show that extends up and across several floors.

Up to ten layers of color on canvas (Image: Nicole Boekhaus)

Imbued Creative Spark

Anna Maier is best known as a television moderator, journalist, and author. Something that is far less known is that she grew up in a home dominated by art and filled with the scent of oil paint and turpentine.

The 46-year-old inherited and very clearly further developed that first creative spark from her father, a passionate landscape painter.

Anna Maier, «ROOTS», acrylic on canvas, 150 cm (Image: Anna Maier)

The Niche of Being Round

She restarted her career about three years ago although she has been painting for over two decades and had her first exhibition in Winterthur 22 years ago. Moreover, Maier's round canvases with self-made frames have ostensibly opened up a niche in the art market.

The round wooden frames require detailed handiwork (Image: Nicole Boekhaus)

Her first large gallery exhibition was Kunsthaus Rapp in Wil in 2023. The cooperation was the idea of gallery owner Marianne Rapp, who contacted Maier and showed great interest in her art. That has now led to Maier's exhibition in Zurich.

Art as the Fifth Element

«The Elements» comprises a line of work that is thematically underlined by the natural elements of fire, water, earth, and air. Maier uses a technique whereby she paints with a spatula or pours the color on the canvas while also using gold particles, which often results in a three-dimensional effect. Her images invite the viewer to appreciate and experience the complexity and beauty of nature from new and different perspectives.

«Nature means a great deal to me and it helps me to process negative influences and stress. That is why I chose the theme of natural elements for this exhibition. Art, for me, is an element in and of itself given its strength and power», Maier says in a conversation with finews.art.

 Anna Maier, «FIREFLIES», acrylic on canvas, 80 x 80 cm (Image: Anna Maier)

Artistic Synergies

The cooperation between Anna Maier, Meister 1881, and Galerie Kunsthaus Rapp is also an example of the symbiosis of handwork, tradition, and modern art. The partnership underlines a commonly held philosophy of uniqueness and quality, something that is discernible in the work and exclusively of each of the pieces on exhibition.

All three players stand for the production and sales of individual, unique items. Those buying an artwork by Maier also get a handmade, exclusive certificate, which in itself is a small piece of art.

Bridging the World of Finance

Besides a budding art career, Maier has also made extensive contacts in the world of finance. She has over 30 years of experience moderating large financial events for the cantonal banks of Zurich and Zug, as well as Raiffeisen, all of which helped her to extend her network and influence.

That was recently on display when a Zurich-based wealth manager bought one of her works, confirming a prevailing corporate trend that sees art as an investment. Her works, which range from 4,000 to 11,000 francs, are created with a clear and conscious impetus «to remain affordable and yet still grow in value», as Maier sees it.

Art in nature's proximity (Image: Niko Iliadis)

«Art is increasingly being seen as an investment class. Recently, an increasing number of companies have become interested in my art. That is a measuring stick for me. Companies wouldn't invest in it unless they saw value», Maier maintains.

Question of Celebrity

Of course, not everyone is altogether positive about Maier's artistic engagement. But she is ok with the criticism. «As a matter of course, you get more attention when your career has been in public. Still, I don't think that anyone buys a work of mine and hangs it at home because I was on television», Maier says.

«One thing stands above everything for me. I want to trigger reflection and dreams with my art», Maier maintains.

• The exhibition runs from May 24 to June 7. More information is available at the following Link (German only).