Art Blog #115: How I Sold My Sculpture to Switzerland

Incredible experience

One of the highlights of this year for me was selling one of my sculptures to Switzerland. It was an incredible experience, and there are several facets to the journey that I would like to share with you. This is the story of a creative mind that dared to try something new—and it worked. It’s a journey that began with the creation of the sculpture and extended to building an online presence, culminating in the extraordinary moment when someone in a different country fell in love with my work and decided to purchase it. Let me take you through the entire story.

How it all started

The idea for some of my sculptures first occurred to me around 2008. At the time, I didn’t give much thought to actually building them. I had created a 3D interpretation of my ideas and even worked out their kinetic concepts, but the designs remained dormant on my hard drive. Over the next decade, more than 10 years passed quickly as I focused on my career as a designer. However, the need to bring my personal creations to life grew more intense with time.

First sculptures

In 2021, I finally decided to revisit those ideas and began drafting the first feasible concepts for my sculptures. By early 2022, I had created my first laser-cut prototype of a kinetic sculpture. The experience of transforming an idea into a tangible, interactive piece within a short time was exhilarating. It ignited a wave of creativity that carried me through the next two years. From 2022 to 2024, I produced a series of sculptures, each inspired by my fascination with motion, interaction, and the profound questions of humanity and the universe.

Eventually, I reached a point where I felt ready to share my work with the world. This marked the beginning of a new challenge: How could I showcase my sculptures to people globally? As a creative and innovative thinker, I didn’t want to follow traditional methods of art promotion. The idea of applying for exhibitions at brick-and-mortar galleries didn’t appeal to me. My art was meant to engage and inspire, not sit passively in a mouldy institution waiting to be discovered. It was clear that I needed to leverage the power of the internet to reach a wider audience.

Crossroads

At this crossroads, I faced several critical decisions. Should I use established platforms to promote my art, or should I build my own brand? Should I rely on existing art promotion tools, or should I create my own website? Where should I focus my efforts as an artist, and how could I effectively explain my art, which revolves around motion and interaction? Simple posts on social media wouldn’t suffice, and I didn’t have the time or inclination to become a full-time influencer, constantly posting videos and reels on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Ultimately, I chose a slower but more sustainable path: building my own brand and creating my own art website. This decision wasn’t easy. Building an online presence from scratch is a daunting, uphill battle. Progress can feel slow and fruitless, especially in the beginning. However, I was determined to create a space where I could showcase my work without worrying about algorithms, shadow bans, or platform restrictions. This was my digital real estate, and I was committed to making it a place where people could engage with my art on my terms.

Unique approach

The journey of building my online presence taught me valuable lessons about patience, perseverance, and the importance of staying true to one’s vision. Slowly but surely, my website began to attract visitors. I shared detailed descriptions, high-quality images, and videos to convey the essence of my kinetic sculptures. Over time, I also connected with a community of art enthusiasts who appreciated my unique approach.

And then, one day, it happened. An art lover from Switzerland discovered my work online and reached out to me. They were captivated by the intricate design, motion, and concept behind one of my sculptures. After several conversations and arrangements, they decided to purchase the piece. The moment was surreal. Knowing that my art had resonated with someone thousands of miles away was incredibly rewarding.

Power of creativity

This experience reaffirmed the importance of taking bold steps and believing in the power of creativity. It reminded me that art has no boundaries. It can transcend borders, languages, and cultures to connect with people on a deeply personal level.

Selling my sculpture to Switzerland was more than just a transaction; it was a testament to the power of innovation, persistence, and authenticity. It was proof that when you stay true to your vision and put in the effort to share it with the world, amazing things can happen.

This is only the beginning of my journey as an artist. There are many more stories to tell, and I am excited to continue sharing them with you. Thank you for being part of this adventure. If you’d like to stay updated on my work and future stories, please visit my website or follow me on social media. Your support means the world to me.

Until next time,

Peter von Hauerland.