Intro

The futuristic, bright red cubist building of the Ghisla Art Collection is sure to catch your eye as you walk past. But what’s inside? You’ll find numerous masterpieces of Pop Art, Informal and Abstract Art, New Dada and Conceptual Art.

The red cube in the middle of Locarno is covered with a metallic network of iron grilles. There are no windows to be seen. Water flows around the two-story building, reminding one of the lake that lies 200 metres away. Architects Moro & Moro in Locarno were awarded the contract to design the renovations. To the side of the entrance there is an arresting sculpture by Swiss artist Lori Hersberger. This changes colour throughout the day, as if in sympathy with its surroundings 

For Mr and Mrs Ghisla, their art museum is a place where their collection gets the space it deserves. Now retired, the couple, who are often seen at the museum, had been collecting artwork for three decades. Today, the collection boasts 300 works, 80 of which are exhibited at a time. These works are rotated every year. There is also a temporary exhibition that changes twice a year, giving less familiar artists an opportunity to exhibit.  

Pierino Ghisla is originally from Marolta in Blenio Valley. At the age of twelve, he was supposed to go to Brussels to stay with his uncle for three months. Three months became his whole life. Pierino married a Belgian woman, Martine. Both still share the same passion for art, and their collection is made up of masterpieces of Pop Art, Informal and Abstract Art, New Dada and Conceptual Art. Pierino Ghisla explains with a smile as he leads us through the art museum: “We don’t all share the same taste in art. That’s just the way it is.” 

With great enthusiasm, Pierino Ghisla tells us about the audio guides that are available to visitors free of charge. People stay longer because of them. They used to stay half an hour, but this has now increased to 1.5 hours. For Mr and Mrs Ghislas, it is important to share their enthusiasm for art with others, and this includes devoting time to the works of art and spending time with them.  

The Ghisla Art Collection is open in the afternoons all year round, except from the beginning of January to mid-March. 

General information

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Culture
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Fondazione Ghisla Art Collection
Via Antonio Ciseri 3
6600 Locarno
091 751 01 52
info@ghisla-art.ch

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Ghisla Art Collection Foundation
Via Ciseri 3
6600  Locarno
Switzerland

Phone  +41 (0)91 751 01 52
Fax +41 (0)91 751 01 52
info@ghisla-art.ch
ghisla-art.ch
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Ascona-Locarno Turismo, Infodesk Locarno
Piazza Stazione / Stazione FFS
Infodesk Locarno
6600  Locarno

Phone  +41 (0)848 091 091
info@ascona-locarno.com
ascona-locarno.com

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Ghisla Art Collection Foundation
Via Ciseri 3
6600 Locarno
Phone  +41 (0)91 751 01 52
ghisla-art.ch
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Ascona-Locarno Turismo, Infodesk Locarno
Piazza Stazione / Stazione FFS
Infodesk Locarno
6600 Locarno
Phone  +41 (0)848 091 091
ascona-locarno.com

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