Born 1989, Geneva
Lives in Zürich
Douglas Mandry is a Swiss artist based in Zurich. A graduate of ECAL (École cantonale d’art de Lausanne), he works across a range of mediums to investigate the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. His practice draws on fields such as archaeology, technology, history, and the natural sciences, often in collaboration with researchers and institutions. Through this dialogue between disciplines, Mandry explores the porous boundaries between art and science.
At the heart of his work lies an alchemical approach to materials, where the transformation of existing elements becomes a central part of the creative process. In doing so, he redefines the role of the artist — moving away from the notion of sole creator towards a more collaborative engagement with materials and forces.
Mandry’s work has been exhibited at C/O Berlin, Foam Amsterdam, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Kunst Haus Wien, and the Centre de la Photographie Genève, among others. In 2025, he published his second artist book, A Distant Smell of Dust, which was nominated for the Swiss Design Awards.
Education
2013
BA in Visual Communication, ECAL (Ecole Cantonale d'Arts de Lausanne), with honors
Solo
2024
Surface Tension, curated by Bernard Fibicher, Pavillon Sicli, Geneva (CH)
2023
'Vantage Point', Balgrist Klinik, curated by Fotostiftung Schweiz, Zürich (CH)
BNP Paribas Artist of the Year, curated by Marlène Corbun, Lugano (CH)
2022
'They Keep on Calling', Bildhalle Galerie, Zürich + St. Moritz (CH)
2020
'Equivalences', Bildhalle Galerie, Zürich (CH)
Collective (selected)
2024
"The Secret of Deep Time", curated by Kim Knoppers, Haarlem Art Museum (NL)
"Giardino di Acclimatazione", curated by Carole Haensler, Villa dei Cedri, Bellinzona (CH)
2022
'Known and Strange', Victoria and Albert Museum, London (UK)
'Changing Ecologies – Biennale für aktuelle Fotografie", curator: Iris Sikking, Kunstverein Heidelberg (D)
'Château Hornegg au Lac', curated by Sechseinhalb Kollektiv, Zürich (CH)
'Kunst zu Hause', curator Martin Grob, Zumikon (CH)
2021
'On Photography – new perspectives', curated by David Khalat, Editions VFO, Zürich (CH)
'Rethinking Nature', curator: Paul di Felice, National Museum Luxembourg (LU)
'Werkschau', Helmhaus, Zürich City Art Grants (CH)
2020
'Nach Uns der Sinflut', curated by Verena Kasper Eisert, Kunsthaus Vienna (A)
'Sur Terre', Le Lieu Unique, Nantes (F)
'Foam Talent', Kühlhaus Berlin (D)
'On Earth', curated by Kim Knoppers, Foam Museum Amsterdam (NL)
'Handle with Care', curated by Elio Schenini, Casa Serodine, Ascona (CH)
'Where the Air Becomes Electric', curated by Marco Poloni, Centre de la Photographie Genève (CH)
2019
'Approche', Salon le Molière, curated by Emilia Genuardi, Paris (F)
'Circulation(s) - jeune photographie européenne', le 104, Paris (F)
2018
'Back to the Future', C|O Berlin, curated by Anne-Christine Bertrand
2015
Plat(t)form 15, Fotomuseum Winterthur (CH)
Photoforum Pasquart, Bienne (CH)
Jungkunst, Winterthur (CH)
Collections
Amro
Fotostiftung Schweiz
Crédit Suisse
Kanton Zürich
Stadt Winterthur
Stadt Zürich
Swiss Post
Swiss Re
Victoria and Albert Museum
Zürcher Kantonalbank
Awards
2025
Swiss Federal Design Awards, finalist
2023
BNP Paribas Foundation, Young Artist of the Year
Swiss Post, PostPac Art, winner
2022
MAST Bologna, nominated
2021
Zürich City Art Grants, Werkschau, Helmhaus, Zürich, finalist
2020
Foam Talent Award, Amsterdam, winner
2019
Prix Pictet Commissions, nominated
Paul Huf Award, nominated
2016
Paul Huf Award, nominated
2015
Swiss Design Awards, finalist
Paul Huf Award, nominated
Books and publications
2025
'A Distant Smell of Dust', Jungle Books Publishing, St. Gallen (CH)
2023
"Contre-culture dans la Photographie Contemporaine", by Michel Poivert, Ed. Textuel Link
2019
'Equivalences', RVB Books, Paris
Press (selected)
Born 1989, Geneva
Lives in Zürich
Douglas Mandry is a Swiss artist based in Zurich. A graduate of ECAL (École cantonale d’art de Lausanne), he works across a range of mediums to investigate the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. His practice draws on fields such as archaeology, technology, history, and the natural sciences, often in collaboration with researchers and institutions. Through this dialogue between disciplines, Mandry explores the porous boundaries between art and science.
At the heart of his work lies an alchemical approach to materials, where the transformation of existing elements becomes a central part of the creative process. In doing so, he redefines the role of the artist — moving away from the notion of sole creator towards a more collaborative engagement with materials and forces.
Mandry’s work has been exhibited at C/O Berlin, Foam Amsterdam, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Kunst Haus Wien, and the Centre de la Photographie Genève, among others. In 2025, he published his second artist book, A Distant Smell of Dust, which was nominated for the Swiss Design Awards.
Education
2013
BA in Visual Communication, ECAL (Ecole Cantonale d'Arts de Lausanne), with honors
Solo
2024
Surface Tension, curated by Bernard Fibicher, Pavillon Sicli, Geneva (CH)
2023
'Vantage Point', Balgrist Klinik, curated by Fotostiftung Schweiz, Zürich (CH)
BNP Paribas Artist of the Year, curated by Marlène Corbun, Lugano (CH)
2022
'They Keep on Calling', Bildhalle Galerie, Zürich + St. Moritz (CH)
2020
'Equivalences', Bildhalle Galerie, Zürich (CH)
Collective (selected)
2024
"The Secret of Deep Time", curated by Kim Knoppers, Haarlem Art Museum (NL)
"Giardino di Acclimatazione", curated by Carole Haensler, Villa dei Cedri, Bellinzona (CH)
2022
'Known and Strange', Victoria and Albert Museum, London (UK)
'Changing Ecologies – Biennale für aktuelle Fotografie", curator: Iris Sikking, Kunstverein Heidelberg (D)
'Château Hornegg au Lac', curated by Sechseinhalb Kollektiv, Zürich (CH)
'Kunst zu Hause', curator Martin Grob, Zumikon (CH)
2021
'On Photography – new perspectives', curated by David Khalat, Editions VFO, Zürich (CH)
'Rethinking Nature', curator: Paul di Felice, National Museum Luxembourg (LU)
'Werkschau', Helmhaus, Zürich City Art Grants (CH)
2020
'Nach Uns der Sinflut', curated by Verena Kasper Eisert, Kunsthaus Vienna (A)
'Sur Terre', Le Lieu Unique, Nantes (F)
'Foam Talent', Kühlhaus Berlin (D)
'On Earth', curated by Kim Knoppers, Foam Museum Amsterdam (NL)
'Handle with Care', curated by Elio Schenini, Casa Serodine, Ascona (CH)
'Where the Air Becomes Electric', curated by Marco Poloni, Centre de la Photographie Genève (CH)
2019
'Approche', Salon le Molière, curated by Emilia Genuardi, Paris (F)
'Circulation(s) - jeune photographie européenne', le 104, Paris (F)
2018
'Back to the Future', C|O Berlin, curated by Anne-Christine Bertrand
2015
Plat(t)form 15, Fotomuseum Winterthur (CH)
Photoforum Pasquart, Bienne (CH)
Jungkunst, Winterthur (CH)
Collections
Amro
Fotostiftung Schweiz
Crédit Suisse
Kanton Zürich
Stadt Winterthur
Stadt Zürich
Swiss Post
Swiss Re
Victoria and Albert Museum
Zürcher Kantonalbank
Books and publications
2025
'A Distant Smell of Dust', Jungle Books Publishing, St. Gallen (CH)
2023
"Contre-culture dans la Photographie Contemporaine", by Michel Poivert, Ed. Textuel Link
2019
'Equivalences', RVB Books, Paris
Press (selected)