VIJION ART GALLERY

Val Gardena, a valley with a long artistic tradition. To be born here doesn’t onlymean to be surrounded by a fantastic Dolomite landscape but also to be part ofa specific cultural tradition. Since the 17th century the artisticability in woodcarving attained a worldwide recognition. From this traditionmany innovative contemporaneous artists developed. The artistic environmentgave the art lovers and art collectors Valentine and Egon Stuflesser the stimulus,to found the Vijion Art Gallery in 2010.

It doesn’t seem curious, that Valentine and Egon grew up in masterly workshops.Already in infancy they could live out their phantasy using utensils they cameupon with, like colours, chisels and wood. Through the attendance of the localArt High School the gallerists Valentine and Egon acquired important knowledgeabout art history and the view of art. After both attained the mastercraftsmen’s diploma, the aim to live with and for art was marked.

Surrounded by the intensive art producing of the valley, Valentine and Egon developed thedesire to present and market the local artistic abilities. An importantstimulus for this was for sure the commercialization of the artworks byValentine’s father. The artist Josef Kostner numbers to the vanguard South Tyroleanartists of his time.

The constant curiosity and enthusiasm of the gallerists to find new forms of art,led them over the local borders. It fascinates the gallerists Valentine andEgon again and again, to research in this so extensive art scene. Nowadays the material and realizablepossibilities are inexhaustible. These versatile forms of expression require aprofound knowledge and varied experiences of the gallerists. It’s up to thegallerists to distinguish the authentic and profound artists among the variateart world.

Through the membership of different associations, the management and social competencesof the gallerists were strengthened. As president and committee member, interalia as president of the Museum Gherdëina in 2017, Valentinecould gather numerous experiences. Egon was many years part of the mountainrescue. A special challenge was for him to assume the presidency of the artfair Unika from 1999 to 2004. Nowadays, he is still a committee member of the Unika.

Art has become for the pair of gallerists Valentine and Egon a lifelong passion. In differentartistic expressions they find again and again new emotional impulses andintellectual tensions which they would like to share with art lovers andcollectors.

Art should be a sensual experience which inspires and moves, far from speculativetendencies.

Alpi Rezie

Alpi Rezie