Pirmin Breu | Curriculum Vitae and Portrait
Pirmin Breu (born in Baden in 1972, grew up in Muri AG) discovered art early on – his first graffiti at twelve, his first studio in 1989. After an apprenticeship as a lettering and advertising painter in Lucerne, he traveled and worked in Europe, the USA, Mexico, Argentina, Thailand and Cuba.
From 1996, Breu, as POSE ONE, shaped the graffiti scene with striking works – including on trains in New York, airplanes of the Pilatus-Werke and for the start of the Pink Floyd European tour in 2007. Over time, he developed his own spray and painting technique, in which figures alternate between world pain and lightness.
Breu experiments with materials from PVC to lace, combining street art with pop aesthetics and folklore. His works are often created live, with quick lines and spontaneous expression. Since 2010 he has also worked as a lecturer and curator, including for “Culture Makes School” and the Singisenforum. Today he lives and works in Wohlen AG.
Artistic Activity
Group Exhibitions
2018 K-13 Art Scene Freiamt, AG CH
Livingsculpture Gallery Zurich, CH
Open Art Roveredo, GR CH
Macelleria d’Arte Gallery, SG CH
2017 Ref. Church Muri, AG CH
Livingsculpture Gallery Zurich, CH
Open Art Roveredo, GR CH
Jedlitschka Gallery, Zurich, CH
2016 Freilandkultur Muri, AG CH
Livingsculpture Gallery Zurich, CH
2015 Foxx Gallery Zurich, CH
Artspacewarehouse Gallery, LA USA
Areal ROTFARB, TG CH
Artwalk Bremgarten, AG CH
K-13 Art Scene Freiamt, AG CH
Livingsculpture Gallery Zurich, CH
2014 Kulturpavillon Wil, SG CH
Bruno Weber Park Dietikon, ZH CH
2013 Open Art Roveredo, GR CH
Jedlitschka Gallery Zurich, CH
2012 Siam Paragon, Bangkok, THA
Altes Zeughaus Herisau, AR CH
Foxx Gallery Zurich, CH
Tartar Gallery, SG CH
Open Art Roveredo, GR CH
100 Years Wisa Gloria, Singisenforum Muri, AG CH
2011 Altes Zeughaus Herisau, AR CH
Minimal Illusions Gallery Baden, AG CH
2010 Gallery GT29 Villars sur Glane, FR CH
K10, Singisenforum Muri, AG CH
Kulturmarkt, Zurich, CH
Freilandkultur Söriken, Muri, AG CH
2009 Studio 222, San Diego, USA
Kunstwarenhaus Gallery Zurich, CH
2008 Triangle Hüningen, FR CH
JF Gallery Zurich, CH
“Farbanschlag”, Kulturmarkt, Zurich, CH
2007 Carhartt Gallery, Weil am Rhein, DE
Art Int., Kongresshaus Zurich, CH
2006 Armehuus Villmergen, AG CH
2005 “Living and leaving the streets”, Kulturmarkt, Zurich, CH
Marshall Art, Rüschlikon, ZH CH
Art Gallery Pozos, San Diego, USA
2003 “Velvet”, Galeria del Instituto de Cultura de Baja California, Tijuana, MEX
Kunstegge, Emmenbrücke, LU CH
2002 “Flames”, Fumetto Comic Festival, Lucerne, C
Gleis 1, Lenzburg, AG CH
1998 “El camino a la felicidad”, Instituto Anglo-Mexicano de Cultura A.C., Ensenada, Baja California, MEX
1996 Artwalk San Diego, USA
Art Institute San Diego, USA
Balboa Park, San Diego, USA
De Anza, Mission Beach San Diego, USA
Graffiti Art Zug, ZG CH
1995 Graffiti Art Zug, ZG CH
1994 “Acryl Art”, Galerie du Labyrinthe, Lausanne, VD CH
1992 Heimbach Center, Lucerne, CH
Solo Exhibitions
2019 “BREAKUP”, Kunstraum 22, Muri, AG CH
2018 “Alpaufzug”, Villa Sutter, Münchwilen, SG CH
2017 Studio opening, Wohlen, AG CH
2016 Studio opening Fremo, Muri, AG CH
2015 AlpaufZug, Stein, AR CH
2014 Atelier Derniere, Wohlen, AG CH
2013 “Alp im Zug”, Gleis1, Appenzell, AI CH
2012 “The space inbetween”, KOI Gallery, Bangkok, THA
“80 Years Relationships” Hotel Kempinski,
Bangkok, THA
“Different Cultures”, Triplets, Bangkok, THA
“Graffiti”, Kindermuseum Baden, AG CH
(Alpaufzug), Klinik Gais, AI CH
2011 “Alp auf Zug”, Tübli, Appenzell, AI CH
“Schildbürger”, Gruyère, FR CH
2010 Robert Wild AG, Muri, AG CH
2009 “Havana libre”, Muri, AG CH
2008 “Street Art”, Galerie Schriever, Cologne, DE
2008 “Mensch”, Gemeindehaus Wohlen, AG CH
2007 Galerie 101, Baden, AG CH
«Heaven’s Hell», Schnittpunkt, Zurich, CH
2004 “Argentina en mi Ojos”, Sede Club Europeo, Buenos Aires, ARG
2003 “Eindrücke und Erlebnisse”, Continental Park, Lucerne, CH
2002 “Flying high”, Continental Park, Lucerne, CH
2002 “Hot like Chili”, Tequila Bar, Niedergösgen, AG CH
2002 “People 02”, Gleis 1, Lenzburg, AG CH
2001 “People”, Continental Park, Lucerne, CH
1996 “JM Basquiat”, Guilde Theater, San Diego, USA
1995 “Graffiti”, Hotel Wilder Mann, Sempach, LU CH
1993 “Connection Clothing”, Muri, AG CH
Installations, Performances
2018 10 Years Frank Wedekind House, Aarau, AG CH
School Stauffen, AG CH
9th Performance Days NeuOerlikon, ZH CH
MADCON in Concert, Lucerne, CH
LandArt, Tschamut, GR CH
Inauguration Ruckhalde, St. Gallen, CH
International VW Bus Meeting, Lenk, BE CH
DIWISA Tequila, Zurich, CH
Gusti vo Huuse, Albis, ZH CH
2017 Reformed Church Muri, AG CH
“Die Woche”, Sedrun, GR CH
Fumetto Comic Festival, Lucerne, CH
Metalli Zug, CH
Cantonal Gymnastics Festival, Muri, AG CH
2017 “HOMEless”, New York, USA
2016 Zentralstrasse 1, Boswil, AG CH
Concrete mixer, Stein, AR CH
2014 Longines CSIO, St. Gallen, CH
Bahnhof Appenzell, AI CH
2013 Open Art Roveredo, GR CH
Alpaufzug in the dining car, Bahnhof Appenzell, CH
Paradeplatz Zurich, CH
Bundesplatz Bern, CH
2012 “Bury the Jumbo”, Cabaret Voltaire, Zurich, CH
Open Art Roveredo, GR CH
2012 “HOMEless”, Bangkok, THA
With Billy the Artist, Fox Gallery, Zürich, CH
2011 “Denk mal”, Museumsnacht, St. Gallen, CH
Rosengart Museumsnacht, Lucerne, CH
2010 “Schildbürgertransport”, Kunstnacht St. Gallen, CH
“Ni una muerte mas, reforma ya”, Border Wall Mural, Tijuana (Playas), MEX
2009 “Blumentopf”, Paradeplatz Zurich, CH
Raum für Zeitgenössische Kunst, Bern, CH
“Freiluftgehege Kuba”, Lokalkunst Muri, AG CH
Border Wall Mural, Tijuana (Playas), MEX
2008 Live Performance zum EM-Final, Zürich, CH
2008 “Stille Zeugen”, New Orleans, USA
2007 “Goodorbad”, CAT Gebäude, Baden, AG CH
Sprayaktion Protest Pig Algie, Pink Floyd Tour, Zürich, CH, Auftraggeber: Roger Waters
2006 “Stille Zeugen”, Thailand, THA
2003 “Art motor”, Venice Beach, Los Angeles, USA
2003 “Die Schlacht vom Emmental”, Fumetto Comic Festival, Lucerne, CH
2003 “Lichtblick”, Vögeligärtli Luzern, CH
1999 Wholecar, Brooklyn NY, USA
1997 “Festival Attitude”, Montpellier, FR
1996 “Streetart on Canvas”, Venice Beach, LA USA
1996 “Racista”, Border Wall, Tecaté, MEX
1996 “Breaking Conventions”, San Diego, USA
Art in Architecture
2018 700 m AlpaufZug, Ruckhaldetunnel, Appenzeller Bahnen, SG CH
Novartis, Stein, AG CH
Wohnblock, Uetlibergstrasse 196, Zürich, CH
2017 Pontonier Bremgarten, AG CH
Raiffeisen Bank Kloten, ZH CH
Mural, Brooklyn NY, USA
2016 Schulhaus Lenzhard, Lenzburg, AG CH
2014 Goodorbad, Wohnblock Seetalstrasse, Muri, AG CH
2012 BMW/MINI Filiale Dielsdorf, ZH CH
Chesa Swiss, Bangkok, THA
2011 Schulhaus/Kindergarten, Villmergen, AG CH
2008 Raiffeisen Bank Auw, AG CH
2003 125 Jahre St. Benedikt Kinderheim, Hermetschwil, AG CH
2002 Itenhard Quartier Bremgarten, AG CH
2001 “River Pub”, Aarburg AG CH
1998 “Hof Seeheim”, Küssnacht, SZ CH
1997 Migros Tiefgarage, Luzernerstrasse, Muri, AG CH
Restaurant Schäfli, St. Margrethen, SG CH
1994 “Liberty”, SBG (UBS) Kriens, LU CH
1991 Sondermülldeponie Kölliken, AG CH
1990 Freibad Muri, AG CH
Awards/Invitations
2012 Invitation from the Swiss Embassy: “Siam Nitasratchamongkol – 80 Years Thai-Swiss Diplomatic Relations”, Siam Paragon, Bangkok, THA
2010 Kunstnacht St. Gallen, CH: Award for best installation
Publications under POSE ONE/Graffiti
2010 “1000 Ideas for Graffiti”, Rockport,
ISBN-13: 978-1-59253-658-0
2009 “All City Writers”, Kitchen 93, ISBN 2-85980-013-1
2000 “Surf the City”, Stylefile, ISBN 3-9807478-0-8
1998 Swiss Graffiti/Edition Aragon, ISBN 978-3895354618
1995 “Graffiti Art”, Band 2, Schwarzkopf&Schwarzkopf,
ISBN 3-89602-036-6
Commissioned Works/Purchases
2007 Carhartt Gallery, Weil am Rhein, DE: Sale of the entire exhibition to Gunter Sachs
2007 Sprayeraktion Protest Pig Algie, Pink Floyd Tour, Zürich, CH, Auftraggeber: Roger Waters
2000 PC 12, Cheyenne, USA, Auftraggeber: Pill Ball, Aircraft Denver
Appearances/Publications Print and TV
2013 Appenzeller Magazin 11.2013, “how Pirmin Breu discovered his homeland”
2012 Bangkok Post, Thai Nation, Kom Chad Luek
2011 SRF 1: Appearance on “Aeschbacher”
2010 SRF 1: Schweiz aktuell, Reportage “20 Years of Sprayers”
2008 Migros Magazin 9.08: Interview
1998 Die Grüne: “The Sprayer of Muri”
1997 TV Azteca, MEX: Live broadcast of a spray action
1991 SRF 1: “10vor10”: “Graffiti art or scribbling?”
