A new exhibition at Hauser & Wirth in St. Moritz, titled "Alberto Giacometti: Faces and Landscapes of Home," explores the Swiss artist's deep connection to his birthplace, the Alpine village of Stampa. Curated by Tobia Bezzola, the show features around 20 paintings, sculptures, and drawings from 1918 through the 1960s, including portraits of Giacometti's family and depictions of the local landscape. It highlights how Giacometti, after initially escaping to Paris in 1922, returned increasingly to the Engadine valley from the 1950s onward, working in his father's studio and producing works distinct from his Parisian output.
The exhibition matters because it reframes Giacometti's legacy, revealing a less-known side of the artist rooted in provincial intimacy rather than Parisian existential angst. By focusing on his familial and landscape works, it shows how his childhood environment fundamentally shaped his artistic vision, challenging the dominant narrative of Giacometti as solely an avant-garde figure. The show also addresses dual audiences—local Swiss residents and international visitors—and includes works for sale, blending commercial and curatorial interests.