Lower Saxony, Germany Jul 10, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - Acclaimed German sculptor, journalist, and author Marita Vollborn has been selected as a featured “Selected Artist” for the ninth edition of the Chianciano Biennale 2026, taking place from August 15 to 29 at the Chianciano Art Museum in Tuscany, Italy. Vollborn will exhibit her powerful bronze sculpture ARES, a timely work that confronts themes of war, greed, and violence amid today’s turbulent global political landscape.
Born in 1965 in Erfurt, East Germany (GDR), Vollborn grew up under a repressive regime that censored arts, philosophy, and free thought. Her experiences during the peaceful protests leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 profoundly shaped her worldview and artistic voice. After earning a diploma in agricultural engineering and a Master’s degree in journalism, she built a distinguished career as an investigative journalist and author, exposing corruption in science, healthcare, politics, and the food industry. Her non-fiction books have been archived in the German Bundestag library and the US Library of Congress.
In 2010, Vollborn turned her focus to sculpture, launching her ambitious project “Sinn und Scherben®” (Sense and Shards) — a series of approximately 50 expressive clay and bronze figurative works exploring the full spectrum of human experience: pain, joy, courage, love, loss, and societal contradictions. Her sculptures are not merely aesthetic objects but critical commentaries that challenge viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about power, fragility, and the human condition. Vollborn deliberately prioritizes artistic integrity over commercial trends, creating works that provoke reflection rather than easy consumption.
The sculpture ARES, cast in bronze, embodies this ethos. Named after the ancient Greek god of war, it serves as a stark condemnation of militarism, profiteering from conflict, and systemic violence. In an era marked by ongoing geopolitical tensions and the human cost of aggression, ARES resonates deeply, offering a powerful artistic counterpoint that urges audiences to question the forces driving division and destruction. Vollborn’s figurative style renders raw emotion and moral complexity with striking intensity, making ARES both a timeless mythological reference and an urgent contemporary statement.
Vollborn’s practice also extends into digital realms. She transforms her physical sculptures and historical photographs from her ZEITGEIST91 project — documenting the social upheavals of German reunification — into unique NFT artworks, bridging traditional sculpture with contemporary digital media.
Her selection for the Chianciano Biennale represents significant international recognition. The biennale, held in the historic heart of Tuscany, brings together hundreds of contemporary artists from around the world and is known for its vibrant celebration of creativity across painting, sculpture, digital art, and installation.
Some of her sculptures can be purchased or viewed on Saatchi Art.
Quotes:
“Art must not shy away from difficult truths. ARES is my response to a world still plagued by war and greed. Through sculpture, I hope to spark dialogue and remind us of our shared humanity,” said Marita Vollborn.
For more information about Marita Vollborn, her works, or to arrange interviews, please contact: redaktion@xpress-journalisten.com.
About the Chianciano Biennale: The Chianciano Biennale is an international contemporary art exhibition held in Chianciano Terme, Tuscany. The 2026 edition runs from August 15–29 at the Chianciano Art Museum and partner venues.
About Marita Vollborn: Marita Vollborn is a German artist, journalist, and publisher whose sculptural work is represented on platforms including Saatchi Art. Her project “Sinn und Scherben®” and digital extensions continue to gain international attention. Visit sense-and-sherds.com for more details.
High-resolution images of the sculpture and artist are available upon request.
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