Adrian Ghenie – Shadow Paintings

The ALBERTINA honors Adrian Ghenie with a revolutionary exhibition based on the idea and concept by Ciprian Adrian Barsan. Adrian Ghenie brings Schiele's lost works - known only through black-and-white photographs - back to life. About a quarter of Schiele's paintings remain missing or were destroyed. These lost images, which address themes such as death, sexuality, and melancholy, exist only as shadowy photographs. The project 'Egon Schiele Schattenbilder' takes viewers on a metaphysical journey through decay and rebirth. Ghenie transforms these shadow images into vivid manifestations of the color spectrum, blurring the lines between reality and abstraction. The exhibition will be held at the ALBERTINA from October 11, 2024, to February 9, 2025.

"Schiele was, of course, part of my mental archive. I have two things in common with Schiele. Not in terms of style, but in terms of attitude. As soon as you leave behind the traditional constraints of anatomy, the way you deform the human form can become a portrait of your character or inner psyche on a deeper level." - Adrian Ghenie

ADRIAN GHENIE, born in 1977 in Baia Mare, Romania, is one of the most celebrated painters of his generation. His work is considered "posthumously born" in the Nietzschean sense, blending past influences with contemporary themes. Ghenie is known for merging personal, political, and art historical themes, combining abstract and figurative elements, and exploring the possibilities of his medium. He draws on personal memories, art historical references, film stills, and internet visuals. 

EGON SCHIELE, born in 1890 in Tulln, demonstrated exceptional artistic talent from a young age. He entered the Vienna Academy in 1906 but left due to conflicts, subsequently founding the Neukunstgruppe. Known for his expressive works, Schiele achieved significant acclaim in 1918 but tragically died at 28 during the Spanish flu pandemic.