The YouNique – Boutique Fair of Arts 2026, a vibrant three-day event, has successfully concluded. It brought together six galleries and seventy independent artists, whose works spanned painting, sculpture, glass artistry, photography, and even contemporary Chinese art. This event has grown significantly in just a few years, establishing itself as one of the most prestigious art fairs in the Swiss Confederation. Below is a detailed account of its seventh edition.
Starting our visit, the first artist highlighted at YouNique 2026 is Mauro Bonaventura, a renowned sculptor known for his intricate figures of intertwined “little men” creating acrobatic, pyramid-like compositions. These pieces, crafted in glass or bronze, showcase an extremely complex technique that challenges the physical properties of glass. His works have previously gained significant acclaim in prestigious venues such as the Sanseverino Chapel and Caffè Florian. Moving on, the Gate Gallery presents the delicate bronze sculptures by Ticinese artist Claudia Hartmann, which, despite being made of bronze, appear light and airy, inspired by the magnificence of marine depths and the elegant form of the Nautilus shell. The works of Carlo Minelli, a sculptor from Davos, invite viewers into a stimulating dialogue. A notable presence was architect Mario Piva, who delivered an engaging talk on his most significant projects, including “Conversation on stone,” where he demonstrates how marble can be rendered ductile through an exclusive technique, transcending its traditional perception.
Another renowned sculptor present is Andrea Roggi, whose bronze works, often circular in form, explore the theme of trees and the deep connection between earth and vegetation. The fair also showcased the exquisite jewelry of Mario Sessa, whose historic workshop is recognized for its artisanal legacy. Noteworthy are the sculptures of Francesca Petrarca, from Chiasso, who creates bronze figures reminiscent of Giacometti’s style but imbued with a more ethereal and personal sensibility. Claudia Von Boch stands out with a unique technique utilizing clays and enamels, achieving surprising effects through material stratification. Tosee Art Gallery presented the works of Amirata Winter, a painter with a distinctive style in still life, depicting felines, human figures, flowers, and landscapes. Winter is highly esteemed and has received significant international awards.
Also noteworthy is the Art X on Glass collective, which uses glass to create reproductions of cosmogonies and famous figures. Irena Dragova, a Bulgarian-Swiss sculptor, presents evolving human figures, expressing torments and emotions with an emphasis on specific body parts like the bust, back, and abdomen. Aleksandra De Pan, a Russian artist adopted by Florence, offers paintings that blend surrealism and expressionism in a distinctive style. Made in Art Gallery specializes in contemporary Chinese painting, featuring prominent artists such as Ma Liuming and Zhang Hong Mei. At the YouNique fair, Galleria Area/B showcased seven artists ranging from figuration to realism, Pop Art, and surrealism. Galleria GALP participated with eight artists exploring the five senses, with Stefano Bombardieri and Davide Dall’Osso among the standouts. Ronal Bejarano, an artist from Honduras, creates figures that act as visual storytellers, often suspended in the air with striking colors. Sisa Manfredi delves into magical realism through the world of childhood and characters from “Alice in Wonderland.” Katerina Korshun, originally from Kazakhstan, produces innovative works using the technique of wool felting, demonstrating valuable experimental artistic research.
Daniele Mazzoleni, with a background in art design, draws inspiration from images and posters, creating paintings that lean towards hyperrealism. Photographer Fabrizio Bergamo specializes in processing Polaroid and Fuji films, producing abstract forms of unique originality. Filippo Rossi employs micro-cement, bitumen, linen, paper, and polystyrene, enriching his works with golden gleams that interact with ambient light. The artists mentioned are just a few of the over seventy participants in this event which, in its seventh edition, has established itself as a crucial fixture in the Swiss art calendar. The YouNique Boutique Fair of Arts concludes successfully, recognized for its ability to foster direct and meaningful dialogue between artists and their audience.
