Vincent Ineichen selected for the artist residency of the fifth Switzerland 2026
The foundation «Place of the Swiss Abroad» is delighted to announce that the artist residency for summer 2026 has been awarded to Swiss artist Vincent Ineichen. The Toulouse-based sculptor and media artist will realise his sculptural concept in Brunnen and other Swiss locations during the residency's anniversary year.
In a two-stage selection process, the jury reviewed applications from talented Swiss artists living abroad from various countries, including France, Italy, Germany, Brazil and Ecuador. The jury, consisting of members of the foundation Place of the Swiss Abroad, artists from the region and experts from the cultural sector, evaluated the applications according to criteria such as artistic quality, originality, thematic compatibility and implementation competence. Vincent Ineichen impressed with his well-thought-out concept and his versatile artistic expertise.
Ineichen, born in 1996 and raised in the south of France, has lived and worked in Toulouse since completing his studies. After completing a bachelor's degree in art history and archaeology at the Université Toulouse 2 Jean Jaurès, he graduated with honours from the renowned École Supérieure d'Art et de Design (ESAD) in Reims with a Diplôme National d'Art (DNA) and a Diplôme National Supérieur d'Expression Plastique (DNSEP). His artistic practice encompasses sculpture, photography, video and installation. Ineichen has already presented his work in several exhibitions, including the highly acclaimed exhibition ‘Ce que la ville oublie’ (2025, Reims), which was also reported on in the press.
Jury member and Brunner artist Veronika Suter summarises: ‘Vincent Ineichen's creative use of different materials combines permanence and transience with history and the present, thus creating a lively connection to the Place of the Swiss Abroad and the residents of Brunnen. We are very much looking forward to working with him and are excited to see the works that will be created in this special anniversary year.’ Muotathal sculptor Bernhard Annen, also a member of the jury, adds: ‘The jury made its decision from numerous inspiring applications. Each submission brought its own artistic signature, an individual perspective and a special approach, which made the selection a challenging but enriching task.’
For the 2026 art residency, Vincent Ineichen has developed a site-specific sculptural concept that brings the prehistoric past of Lake Lucerne into the present. The three-month residency offers him the opportunity to develop his work in dialogue with the Swiss landscape and the local population.
The 2026 Art Residency marks a special anniversary: for ten years, the foundation Place of the Swiss Abroad has been inviting young Swiss artists living abroad to Brunnen every two years. For the anniversary year, the foundation has launched its collaboration with the Centro di Cultura e d'Arte Ascona (CCAA), an established name in the Swiss art scene, which is responsible for the operational implementation. The main phase of the residency will take place at the Place of the Swiss Abroad in Brunnen between June and August, with further phases possible at locations on the Furka Pass or in Flims. The accompanying public programme offers the population an insight into the artistic work and promotes cultural exchange.
"With the CCAA as a professional partner for the implementation of this year's residency, our foundation is breaking new ground in its anniversary year. Not only can the residency be extended in terms of time, but with the spatially expanded implementation of the project a new element is added. For the artist, this offers an expansion of their experience with different work locations and more opportunities for artistic development during the residency," says Alex Hauenstein, President of the Foundation Board
