Brigitte Kowanz

Light and space, media and information are central elements in the multi-layered work of Brigitte Kowanz (1957 – 2022), one of the most significant artistic pioneers of her generation. Brigitte Kowanz’s position in recent art history is a distinctive one. Since the 1980s, her work has centred on light as an artistic medium that she investigated in relation to space and in combination with signs, codes and language. She used light as a means of transcending and adding precision in order to question the conventional concept of image and painting and to hone a new, integrated relation between work, space and viewer.

Estate Brigitte Kowanz builds on the legacy of Brigitte Kowanz by maintaining, preserving and promoting her works, archive and library. In keeping with this mission, Estate Brigitte Kowanz supports exhibitions, conducts necessary restorations, supports research and contextualizes not only her work, but also the concepts that have shaped or intersected her practice. Within this framework, Estate Brigitte Kowanz aims to widen the understanding of the artist’s oeuvre and to promote an active, interdisciplinary and boundary-crossing dialogue as a tribute to her unwavering endeavors.

Works by Brigitte Kowanz have been shown in more than 500 exhibitions worldwide, including the Venice Biennale in 2017 (Austrian Pavilion) and 1984 (Aperto). Other major biennial contributions and institutional exhibition participations include São Paulo Biennial (1987), Biennale of Sydney (1990), Cairo Biennale (2019), Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney (2015), Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, London (2013), MACRO Museo d'Arte Contemporanea di Roma (2012), Shanghai Art Museum (2001) and Fondation Beyeler (2000). The artist has had extensive solo exhibitions at Museum Haus Konstruktiv in Zurich (2020), Galerie im Taxispalais in Innsbruck (2011), Museum moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig in Vienna (2010) and Secession Vienna (1993). Kowanz has also developed well over 50 installations for public spaces.

Brigitte Kowanz studied at the University of Applied Arts Vienna from 1975 to 1980. From 1997 until 2021, she held a professorship at the University of Applied Arts Vienna.

Exhibitions
Permanent installations
Curatorial projects
Awards

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