The painter of the child

The maltreated child, psychologically and physically, is a central motif in Gottfried Helnwein's work. He, who grew up in difficult circumstances in post-war Austria, sees in the child the human being in its true form. Controlled by creativity and imagination, before social systems destroy man already in childhood and turn him into a tortured cog of states and companies. Helnwein's hyperrealistic paintings were regularly the subject of controversy, and some works were confiscated by the police. Helnwein is also known for his examination of National Socialism, the consequences of which haunt us to this day and will continue to do so in the future. Almost 40 years after his first solo exhibition at the ALBERTINA, it is now hosting the anniversary exhibition Gottfried Helnwein to mark the 75th anniversary of the painter's birth in his hometown of Vienna. The show will present recent works from the last 20 years from October 25, 2025 to February 11, 2024.

Gottfried Helnwein, born on October 8, 1948, is one of the most famous painters of the 20th century. He created hyperrealistic works that shake up taboo subjects and show how people are manipulated by capitalism or Catholicism, for example. His only role model is the comic figure Donald Duck, who perseveringly lives his life despite all the misfortune that befalls him. The Austrian artist has also been an Irish citizen since 2004 and now lives in Ireland and Los Angeles. In the course of his life he has received numerous major awards, including the European Culture Prize for Visual Arts in 2021.