"I find inspiration in the quiet moments of everyday life, where simplicity and raw materials tell their own stories."

— Ethan Caflisch

Before venturing into painting, photography, and design, Ethan Caflisch began his artistic journey working with clay. His early experiences as a ceramist cultivated his appreciation for objects that are simple, honest, and rich in volume. Born in Wisconsin, the same state as Frank Lloyd Wright—a builder and poet he deeply admires—Caflisch crafts objects by hand that resonate with the organic, architectural forms inspired by the flat landscapes of his childhood.

Each of Caflisch’s creations follows a thrifty approach, drawing from the previous piece and incorporating only the essentials. His work features scraps of patched fabric, gouaches, or acrylics, coming together in a harmonious sequence built on materials such as linen, wooden frames, and accompanied by evocative, sometimes whimsical titles.

Themes in Caflisch’s work are drawn from both the personal and the universal: a private room, the meeting of floor and wall, a film excerpt, one's homeland, anonymous faces in a crowded metro, windows, and tables set for a meal. These subjects are rendered in primary or earthy tones, evoking a raw, unpolished beauty.

Threshold spaces and raw materials are constants in this domestic yet profound practice, tuned with the precision and rhythm of a sewing machine. Caflisch’s work stands as a quiet, poetic exploration of form, function, and memory.