Willy Spiller who lives and works in Zurich, Switzerland, is not only a fine art photographer but also specialises in cultural reporting and corporate communication. He is also the only Swiss contributor to the famous GettyImages, USA.
After receiving his master‘s degree from the Zurich University of Art and Design (ZHDK) Willy Spiller pursued further education in Milan where he gained experience in a wide variety of photographic disciplines. In the following years, the majority of his work was rooted in photojournalism. Travelling on his own or with various writers Willy Spiller has visited all five continents on his many assignments. His images have appeared in numerous leading European newspapers and magazines.
Spiller received prizes for both his published and exhibited work, most notably for his acclaimed books Pictures of a Local Reporter and Subway New York: People in the Underground. His latest book, Zürich 1967–1976, was published by EDITION BILDHALLE in 2019. The title speaks for itself, geographically and in terms of content: it shows the people who populate this city. Spiller took these pictures between 1967 and 1976 as a photo reporter, when he was in his twenties and hungry for adventure.
After receiving his master‘s degree from the Zurich University of Art and Design (ZHDK) Willy Spiller pursued further education in Milan where he gained experience in a wide variety of photographic disciplines. In the following years, the majority of his work was rooted in photojournalism. Travelling on his own or with various writers Willy Spiller has visited all five continents on his many assignments. His images have appeared in numerous leading European newspapers and magazines.
Spiller received prizes for both his published and exhibited work, most notably for his acclaimed books Pictures of a Local Reporter and Subway New York: People in the Underground. His latest book, Zürich 1967–1976, was published by EDITION BILDHALLE in 2019. The title speaks for itself, geographically and in terms of content: it shows the people who populate this city. Spiller took these pictures between 1967 and 1976 as a photo reporter, when he was in his twenties and hungry for adventure.
Artworks
Articles
Media
Highlights
Recommendations
Collections
Shows
Market position
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Artworks by Willy Spiller
Articles on Willy Spiller
Shows
Market position
Spillers photographs have been on display in major exhibits in Cairo, Milan, New York, Paris and Zurich. His work has been acquired for world-renowned art collections such as Kunsthaus Zürich, Swiss National Museum, Fotostiftung Schweiz, Getty Collection, Musée l‘Elysée, The Swiss Cent-re New York, as well as by private collectors.
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Exhibitions (selection)
2023
«Hell on Wheels», solo exhibition, BILDHALLE, Amsterdam (NL)
«Hell on Wheels», solo exhibition, BILDHALLE, Zurich (CH)
2018
«Street Life», solo exhibition, BILDHALLE, Zurich (CH)
2015
«Zürich – Los Angeles», solo exhibition, Photobastei,k Zurich (CH)
2013
«Augenblick», group exhibition,Villa Grunholzer, Uster (CH)
2012
«Mondlicht», solo exhibition, Galerie Walter Keller, Zurich (CH)
«Willy Spiller. Stromschnellen der Freiheit», solo exhibition, Haus der Kunst Uri, Altdorf (CH)
2011
«Berge versetzen», group exhibition, Haus der Kunst Uri, Altdorf (CH)
«Turn your face towards the sun and the shadows fall behind you», solo exhibition, Coté West Living, Zurich (CH)
2007
«Mondlicht», solo exhibition, Haus zum Bracken, Zurich (CH)
2004
«Abschied von Europa», solo exhibition, Panasia Galerie, Zurich (CH)
«Bi4. Quarta Biennale dell’immagine. Il mondo in camera», group exhibition, Chiasso, Ligornetto, Como (CH/IT)
2003
«Il lungo addio – Der lange Abschied», group exhibition, Istituto Svizzero, Roma (IT)
2002
«Zusammenspiel», solo exhibition, Hochschule für Musik, Zurich
1991
«l primi 10 anni», group exhibition, Galleria Gottardo, Lugano (CH)
1990
«Gottfried Keller», group exhibition, Pressehaus, Zurich (CH)
«Brasilien» solo exhibition, Folio, Zurich (CH)
1986
Centre Culturel Suisse, Paris (FR)
1982
«Subway New York», solo exhibition, Swiss Center, New York (USA)
Publications (selection)
«Zürich 1967-1976», Edition Bildhalle, Zürich 2019
«Hell on Wheels. Photographs from the New York Underground 1977-1984», Sturm & Drang, Zürich 2016
«Damit die Züge fahren. Mensch und Technik am Gotthard-Basistunnel», NZZ, Zurich 2013
«Adieu à l’Europe», Actes Sud, Arles 2003; «Willy Spiller. Stromschnellen der Freiheit» (Kat.), Kunstverein Uri, Altdorf 2012
«Alex Sadkowsky. Bio-Foto-Kultografie», Scheidegger & Spiess, Zurich 2009
«Durchs Bild zur Welt gekommen. Hugo Loetscher und die Photographie» Scheidegger & Spiess, Zurich 2001
«I primi 10 anni» (Kat.), Galleria Gottardo, Lugano 1991
«Sterben in Canindé» (Portfolio), Der Alltag, Zürich 1990
«Subway New York», Stemmle, Schaffhausen 1986
«Die Stadt. Bilder eines Lokalreporters», Kossodo, Genf 1977
«Photographie in der Schweiz von 1840 bis heute», Niggli, Teufen 1974
Awards
Kodak Book Prize, 1977
Federal Scholarship, 1973
Award of the City of Zurich, 1970
2023
«Hell on Wheels», solo exhibition, BILDHALLE, Amsterdam (NL)
«Hell on Wheels», solo exhibition, BILDHALLE, Zurich (CH)
2018
«Street Life», solo exhibition, BILDHALLE, Zurich (CH)
2015
«Zürich – Los Angeles», solo exhibition, Photobastei,k Zurich (CH)
2013
«Augenblick», group exhibition,Villa Grunholzer, Uster (CH)
2012
«Mondlicht», solo exhibition, Galerie Walter Keller, Zurich (CH)
«Willy Spiller. Stromschnellen der Freiheit», solo exhibition, Haus der Kunst Uri, Altdorf (CH)
2011
«Berge versetzen», group exhibition, Haus der Kunst Uri, Altdorf (CH)
«Turn your face towards the sun and the shadows fall behind you», solo exhibition, Coté West Living, Zurich (CH)
2007
«Mondlicht», solo exhibition, Haus zum Bracken, Zurich (CH)
2004
«Abschied von Europa», solo exhibition, Panasia Galerie, Zurich (CH)
«Bi4. Quarta Biennale dell’immagine. Il mondo in camera», group exhibition, Chiasso, Ligornetto, Como (CH/IT)
2003
«Il lungo addio – Der lange Abschied», group exhibition, Istituto Svizzero, Roma (IT)
2002
«Zusammenspiel», solo exhibition, Hochschule für Musik, Zurich
1991
«l primi 10 anni», group exhibition, Galleria Gottardo, Lugano (CH)
1990
«Gottfried Keller», group exhibition, Pressehaus, Zurich (CH)
«Brasilien» solo exhibition, Folio, Zurich (CH)
1986
Centre Culturel Suisse, Paris (FR)
1982
«Subway New York», solo exhibition, Swiss Center, New York (USA)
Publications (selection)
«Zürich 1967-1976», Edition Bildhalle, Zürich 2019
«Hell on Wheels. Photographs from the New York Underground 1977-1984», Sturm & Drang, Zürich 2016
«Damit die Züge fahren. Mensch und Technik am Gotthard-Basistunnel», NZZ, Zurich 2013
«Adieu à l’Europe», Actes Sud, Arles 2003; «Willy Spiller. Stromschnellen der Freiheit» (Kat.), Kunstverein Uri, Altdorf 2012
«Alex Sadkowsky. Bio-Foto-Kultografie», Scheidegger & Spiess, Zurich 2009
«Durchs Bild zur Welt gekommen. Hugo Loetscher und die Photographie» Scheidegger & Spiess, Zurich 2001
«I primi 10 anni» (Kat.), Galleria Gottardo, Lugano 1991
«Sterben in Canindé» (Portfolio), Der Alltag, Zürich 1990
«Subway New York», Stemmle, Schaffhausen 1986
«Die Stadt. Bilder eines Lokalreporters», Kossodo, Genf 1977
«Photographie in der Schweiz von 1840 bis heute», Niggli, Teufen 1974
Awards
Kodak Book Prize, 1977
Federal Scholarship, 1973
Award of the City of Zurich, 1970
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