Urs Lüthi

Urs Lüthi (born December 10, 1947) is a Swiss artist known for his contributions to performance art, body art, and photography, particularly in the 1970s. His work often explores themes of identity, gender, and the constructed nature of the self.

Lüthi rose to prominence in the art world with his staged self-portraits and photographic works. These images frequently depicted him in various guises, playing with notions of masculinity and femininity, beauty, and decay. He often employed makeup, costumes, and theatrical poses to create these ambiguous and often unsettling representations.

His work challenged traditional notions of portraiture by focusing on the performative aspects of identity and the blurring of boundaries between the artist and the artwork. He used his own body as a medium to explore these complex themes.

Lüthi's influence can be seen in the subsequent development of performance art and photographic self-portraiture. He has exhibited internationally and his work is held in numerous public and private collections. He continues to work as an artist.