Artist from Austria
Leo Hainzl was born in Austria in 1968 (mother originally from Slovenia), working in Styria and on projects in other places. Between 1987 and 1993 stays abroad in Italy, Iceland and Israel. From 1994 to 1999 study of painting and graphics at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. After graduating in autumn 1999, the first solo exhibition “Interregional Aspects and Visual References” was in the Kunsthaus Muerz Gallery.
Since 2000 participations at numerous group exhibitions in galleries and museums in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Portugal, South Korea and the USA. Paintings can be found in the art collections of the City of Vienna, the Universalmuseum Joanneum (Graz / Austria), in the Faro Cabo Mayor Art Center (Santander / Spain) and the Czong Institute for Contemporary Arts / CICA Museum (Gimpo-si / South Korea).
In 2011, the previous formal and thematic production was mentioned in the General Artists Encoclypedia (De Gruyter Publishing House, Munich). From 2011 to 2013 course in art and cultural studies at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. At the same time in 2012/13 integral studies of two semesters at the Faculty for Interdisciplinary Research and Education (IFF) with a final certificate on the project topic “Titian’s body depictions between life, pain and death”.
In 2024, Leo Hainzl took part in the group exhibition “Postcards from the Edge – 26th Edition” at the Berry Campbell Gallery (NYC) and in “Big Names, Small Art” at the Crocker Art Museum (Sacramento / California) with outstanding artists from all over the world. 2025 is another important year for him: After participating in “Postcards from the Edge – 27th Edition” in New York City (January), he was invited by Art Circle Slovenia for an artist in residence project as part of the European Capital of Culture 2025 Nova Gorica / Gorizia (March).
ARTIST STATEMENT
Contemporary painting should address current issues and present itself in a referential visual language. For the group exhibition “Creaction,” curated by Dr. Carmela Loiacono, I would like to draw attention to subtle cracks in our daily lives with a work created especially for this project. Visual art is intended to deal with tensions and fractures in society. In psychoanalysis, Eros and Thanatos refer to the power of life and the death drive. “Colane” consists of a medium blue background with five loops and lighter traces above them, which are overlaid by orange zones with pale pink circles.
more. artfacts.net/artist/leo-hainzl-1968-at | leo_hainzl
INTERVIEW with Leo Hainzl
Carmela Loiacono talks with Leo Hainzl who takes part in the International Art Exhibition CREACTION in Matera, at cultural hypogeum Lega Navale Italiana Matera-Magna Grecia.
Carmela Loiacono – Please introduce yourself and talk about the selected artwork: “Colane” presented during the exhibition CREACTION in Matera.
Leo Hainzl – My name is Leo Hainzl, born 1968 in Austria. I received my artistic training at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna from 1994 to 1999. Since 2000, I have participated in numerous group exhibitions in Asia, Europe, and the USA. Over the past 25 years, my approach to life and work has changed. I am particularly interested in the media of painting, drawing and hybrid methods. A selection of images deals with the following topics: short-lived content in a changing society of values, the question of human meaning in a changing reality through upbringing, education and competition. In my series of works, an abstract implementation is synonymous with individual and social development tendencies. Visual art is intended to deal with tensions and fractures in society. In psychoanalysis, Eros and Thanatos refer to the power of life and the death drive. “Colane” consists of a medium blue background with five loops and lighter traces above them, which are overlaid by orange zones with pale pink circles.
Carmela Loiacono – How would you describe your creative process? What or who influenced or is influencing your work?
Leo Hainzl – Since 2021, my work has mostly begun after researching international calls for thematic exhibitions. In the studio, I first develop motifs experimentally, focusing on improving quality. I usually rework details until I’m satisfied. The artists of Italian Mannerism (16th century) created astonishing paintings. I also write texts myself, which provide a content basis for my analogue and digital works.
Carmela Loiacono – What do you think about shared art on social media? Could it be an alternative way of communicating contemporary art?
Leo Hainzl – Every day, I’m confronted with many interesting posts from artists. Since I work in the field myself, I usually respond positively to the content. Personally, I’ve decided to only publish a photo with a short statement for selected exhibitions sometimes. In my case, it evokes more personal interaction with others.
Carmela Loiacono – What are your future goals and/or projects?
Leo Hainzl – I would like to continue participating in exhibition projects with artists worldwide. The global presence of my work is important in the general competition with others. This requires a lot of time and concentration to implement. For me there is no work-life balance. I can only pursue one project after another by making sacrifices.
