near. prize 2026
Nathalie Bissig – The Wolves
Galerie & Edition Stephan Witschi, Zurich
Opening
Thursday, 5 November, from 5 pm
The artist will be present.
We’re pleased to invite you to the near. prize 2026 exhibition, where this year’s winner Nathalie Bissig presents The Wolves.
The Wolves Were So Bold Last Night, That They Carried Away a Fresh Bearskin That Was Lying by the Fire is an ongoing black-and-white series set in the Canton of Uri. Drawing on Alpine myths and legends, Bissig looks at how communities use stories to make sense of the unknown and of a fragile, often threatening environment.
The jury praised the work’s deep roots in the Uri community and its strong, recognizable visual language: technically superb black-and-white photography that stays witty and never dull, and that reaches from photography into the making of costumes and objects. The Wolves is part of Thunder, Bissig’s larger, evolving body of work.
Exhibition dates
5 November – 21 November 2026
Opening
Thursday, 5 November, from 5 pm
The artist will be present.
Finissage with artist talk and book launch
Saturday, 21 November, 3 pm
Nathalie Bissig in conversation with Ann Griffin, near. committee member and designer of the book, presenting the publication Thunder.
Introduction by Anna Konstantinova, near. committee member and member of near. Prize 2026 jury, presenting the winner and this year’s special mentions.
Galerie & Edition Stephan Witschi
Limmatstrasse 214, 8005 Zurich
We look forward to seeing you there!
The exhibition is supported by Die Dätwyler Stiftung, der Kanton Uri / Swisslos and die Casimir Eigensatz Stiftung.