aus: kunst:art Nr. 95, Jänner – Februar 2024 (ISSN 1866-542 X)

A graphic competition for artists from Austria or South Tyrol was launched in 1952 on the initiative of the great Austrian graphic artist Paul Flora and has been held every two years since then. In this 38th edition, over 443 works were entered, the most in almost 20 years. Twelve prizewinners and four works purchased by the state of Tyrol were selected by a jury of art experts from Germany, Austria and South Tyrol. Complimenting these new works that give a view into the creative innovation in works on paper from artists “under the Austrian influence” are works from past prize winners such as Martha Jungwirth and Maria Lassnig. Accompanying the show is a colossal 500 page catalogue, designed by the Tyrolean artist Patrick Bonato, which functions not only as an artwork of itself but is also an invaluable reference work of Austrian artists since the war.

The works are presented in rooms painted in muted tones of cool blues and grays that invite the viewer to slow down and take the time to contemplate the subtlety of graphic art. Thematically there were no restrictions for what could be entered into the competition, but the work cannot exceed 1,5 by 1,5 meters. The size restraint and two-dimensionality of the format create a gentle rhythm and overarching harmony that allows the viewer to reflect back upon universal principles of Western art and art history such as proportion, beauty and noblesse.