Olivier Mosset

Olivier Mosset, a Swiss artist born on June 14, 1944, in Bern, Switzerland, is closely tied to avant-garde art of the 1960s and 1970s, including Minimalism, Conceptual Art, and Radical Painting.

His artistic beginnings were shaped by exposure to American art and culture during his formative years in the US. In the early 1960s, he relocated to New York City, engaging with artists like Stella, Ryman, and LeWitt, who challenged norms. In the mid-1960s, Mosset co-founded “B.M.P.T.” with Buren, Parmentier, and Toroni, challenging authorship and embracing objective, systematic methods. This challenged the “artist’s touch,” emphasizing ideas over objects. In 1967, he declared to only paint black circles, a bold move initiating exploration of seriality and deconstruction. Over time, his work evolved to feature geometric shapes and monochromatic surfaces, emphasizing painting’s essence. In the 1970s, Mosset embraced a conceptual, minimalist approach, even collaborating with fellow artists and musicians. His installations and performances challenged exhibition norms, engaging viewers uniquely. His work is linked with “Radical Painting,” aiming to redefine painting. He expanded boundaries, creating large-scale works blurring painting and sculpture. 

Into the 1980s and beyond, Mosset explored diverse media like photography, film, and printmaking. He crafted site-specific installations, engaging with architectural environments. His work featured globally in major galleries and museums, cementing his prominence in contemporary art. His influence on emerging artists is evident in their commitment to exploring art’s essence, embracing simplicity, and challenging norms.

Olivier Mosset resides and works in New York and Tucson, Arizona.