Bert Theis began experimenting with collage and torn-paper techniques at the beginning of the 1980s, while studying at the Scuola del libro of the Istituto Statale in Urbino. From simple newspaper clippings on paper to complex assemblages of texts, images and watercolour drawings on various media and supports — scissors and glue were Theis’s main artistic tools throughout that decade. Documenting this phase of his career, the first part of the exhibition features works that are less known to the public at large, such as Chaocoll, Materialcollages, Diacollages and Piccollages, as well as a series of collages for two poetry books by the Luxembourgish author Robert ‘Gollo’ Steffen.

(extract from Konschthal Esch Press Kit for the exhibition Bert Theis: pour une philosophie collagiste, 29.03 – 21.09.2025 Guest curator: Marco Scotini / Curator: Charlotte Masse in collaboration with Bert Theis Archive.