Martin Disler (* March 1, 1949, Seewen, Canton of Solothurn – August 27, 1996, Geneva) was a self-taught painter, draftsman, sculptor, and poet. He is considered one of the most important representatives of the Neue Wilde (New Wild Ones) movement in Switzerland. His work is characterized by expressive, often chaotic depictions of human emotions and existential themes.
Disler grew up in a nursery and showed an early interest in art. After finishing school and spending time in a Catholic boarding school, he began working in 1969 at the psychiatric clinic Rosegg, where he gained his first artistic experiences.
In the 1970s, he moved to Germany and joined the artistic environment of the Neue Wilde. His works were exhibited internationally, including at Documenta 7 in Kassel (1982) and the São Paulo Biennale (1985).
Disler was married to artists Agnes Barmettler and Irene Grundel. He lived and worked in various cities, including Zurich, Amsterdam, Lugano, Samedan, Milan, and finally in Les Planchettes in the Swiss Jura. He died in 1996 at the age of 47 from the effects of a stroke.
His works are held in major collections, including the Kunsthaus Zurich, Kunstmuseum Basel, and the Kirchner Museum in Davos. In 2019, an exhibition titled “Häutung und Tanz” (“Shedding and Dance”) was held at the Waldfrieden Sculpture Park in Wuppertal, showcasing Disler’s late works.
