Short Biography
The painter, artist, and actor Rolf Knie was born in 1949 in Bern and belongs to the sixth generation of the famous Swiss circus dynasty. At just five years old, he performed for a season in the ring, and this deep connection to the circus world would influence his entire artistic career. In the late 1970s, he met the well-known Swiss painter Hans Falk during a circus tour, leading to the creation of his first works, which were heavily influenced by drawing. After achieving success with small exhibitions, Rolf Knie parted ways with the circus and began a career as an actor and painter, dedicating himself entirely to painting from 1992 onwards.
Friendship with Jean Tinguely
Knie's art became increasingly painterly, with a brighter palette and the color of his paintings dominating the drawing element. Since 1980, he has also produced a significant body of graphic work, including lithographs and serigraphs. In addition, Rolf Knie works as a sculptor, creating both small bronze sculptures and monumental iron sculptures weighing up to 16 tons. Numerous exhibitions in Switzerland and abroad (including Paris, London, Munich, Madrid, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Singapore, Uruguay, and Cuba) document the great popularity of this renowned Swiss artist. All of his works reflect his strong emotional connection to the circus world. The majority of his originals are painted on what are known as chapiteaux—real, used tent fabrics that have been in service for years.
Through his artistic work, Rolf Knie also makes an important contribution to the preservation and recognition of a cultural art form that is threatened by entertainment media: the art of animal training, acrobatics, and clowning, which has been documented for centuries in history and continues to amaze and entertain both young and old.
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