16.09.2025 – 31.01.2026


ARNOLD ODERMATT – 100 JAHRE
Jubiläumsausstellung

Arnold Odermatt (1925–2021) would have celebrated his 100th birthday on May 29, 2025. He was born in Stans in the canton of Nidwalden in Switzerland, where he also attended school. He then completed an apprenticeship as a baker and confectioner. However, he was unable to pursue this career for health reasons. He therefore joined the police force in 1948 and retired in 1990 as a first lieutenant, head of the traffic police and deputy commander of the Nidwalden police.

His keen interest in photography began in his youth. He taught himself all the techniques of this medium. He photographed throughout his life, both professionally and in his spare time. In doing so, he developed his own visual language with unusual perspectives. His subtle humor is also evident in many of his pictures. He carefully preserved his negatives. However, he often didn't have time to develop the photos and make prints. He compensated for this later, after he was discovered as an artist.

In the 1990s, his son, film director Urs Odermatt, was researching for a planned film project. In the process, he immersed himself in Arnold Odermatt's decades-long archive. He was so impressed by the quality of the work that he later became the editor of his father's complete works and numerous books. The first volume, “Meine Welt” (My World), was published in 1993 by Benteli Verlag, followed by four further publications by Steidl Verlag: “Karambolage" (2003), “Im Dienst” (On Duty, 2008), “In zivil” (Off Duty, 2014), and “Feierabend” (After Work, 2016). Another volume is in the works.

In 2001, Harald Szeemann, curator of the 49th Venice Biennale, exhibited a selection of 32 works from Arnold Odermatt's series “Karambolage.” This was followed by international solo and group exhibitions. Arnold Odermatt's artworks are part of numerous international collections and are exhibited in museums worldwide.

Galerie Springer Berlin has been working with Arnold Odermatt and Urs Odermatt for 25 years. The exhibition honors the photographer's extensive and unique oeuvre and celebrates the long-standing collaboration between Arnold Odermatt, Urs Odermatt and his partner Jasmin Morgan, his patron Beate Kemfert, and the gallery.