Portrait of a Swiss Company. A photo series by Barbara Davatz from 5 June 2026
08.05.2026 | from Textilmuseum St. Gallen
Reading time: 2 minutes
Image rights: Textilmuseum St.Gallen
08.05.2026, From 5 June 2026, the Textile Museum St. Gallen presents a photo series by Barbara Davatz, who portrayed the entire staff of a textile printing company in Appenzell in 1972. The exhibition "Portrait of a Swiss Company" features authentic images focusing on people and reflecting timeless relevance.
In 1972, Swiss photographer Barbara Davatz invited the employees of H. Walser AG textile printing and twisting mill in Zürchersmühle to pose for her: 38 men and women, momentarily taken out of their daily work routine. The result is a multi-layered portrait series, exemplifying her calm, unsentimental objectivity, which demonstrates social commitment as well as openness and respect.
Although the series can be read as a reaction to the so-called Schwarzenbach Initiative, these portraits are far more than a snapshot: they have become a striking testament to a bygone working world. They also reflect questions of identity, belonging, and humanity, which transcend their time and acquire contemporary urgency in the current political climate.
Simultaneously, from 3 July 2026, the exhibition "Mise en Scène. Fashion Photography from the Belle Époque to Today" (until 28 February 2027) will also be available for viewing: While Barbara Davatz focuses on the person behind the scenes - unadorned and authentic -, "Mise en Scène" presents the flawlessly staged face of the fashion industry, navigating between ideal and illusion.
There will be a joint media briefing for both exhibitions on Thursday, 2 July at 10 am. Should you wish to visit beforehand, please feel free to contact us.
About the Artist
Barbara Davatz worked as a professional photographer for 40 years and carried out free artistic projects: "photographic series." Her work is characterized by precise observation, conceptual clarity, and a special attention to interpersonal relationships. Besides "Portrait of a Swiss Company," her best-known works include the photo series "As Time Goes By," "Beauty lies within," "Doppelgänger," and "Gsüün," in which she has explored themes such as identity, change, and social belonging over decades.
The opening will take place on Thursday, 4 June from 6:30 pm onwards. The photographer will be present.
Textile Museum St. Gallen
Vadianstrasse 2
9000 St. Gallen
Switzerland
info@textilmuseum.ch
www.textilmuseum.ch
Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Textilmuseum St.Gallen
Conclusion of this article: « Portrait of a Swiss Company. A photo series by Barbara Davatz from 5 June 2026 »
Textilmuseum St. Gallen
The collections of the Textile Museum and the Textile Library St. Gallen date back to the second half of the 19th century and are rooted in the tradition of trade museums and pattern collections founded across Europe at that time. They were intended to serve as inspiration and models for local industry and to cultivate "good taste."
In 1863, the Commercial Directorate - the association of St. Gallen merchants - began systematically collecting sample templates from around the world for local producers, expanding the existing collection.
The museum was established in 1878.
Over time, the collection has been enriched through acquisitions, especially significant donations of private collections and archives of the textile industry. The collecting activities of the Iklé manufacturing family are of utmost importance. The institution remains committed to its founding mission of being a source of inspiration for designers and creators even today.
Note: The "About Us" text is taken from public sources or from the company profile on HELP.ch.
Source: Textilmuseum St. Gallen, Press release
Original article published on: Porträt einer Schweizer Firma. Eine Fotoserie von Barbara Davatz“ ab dem 5. Juni 2026