Hundertwasser, Friedensreich eigentlich Friedrich Stowasser

Hundertwasser, Friedensreich (real name: Friedrich Stowasser), b. Vienna, Dec. 15, 1928, d. Feb. 19, 2000 (on board the Queen Elizabeth II on a trip from New Zealand to Europe, buried in New Zealand). Painter, lived in Vienna, New Zealand, Venice and Normandy. In 1948 he studied for 4 months at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts under R. C. Andersen; afterwards undertook several journeys, since 1951 member of the Vienna Art Club; in 1953 made the helix the basic form of his paintings; in 1954 developed the artistic style "Transautomatismus", and in 1959 founded the "Pintorarium" together with E. Fuchs and A. Rainer. International break-through at the Biennale in Venice in 1962. In his sometimes spectacular manner ("nudist speeches" etc.) H. has advocated peace, ecology and a form of architecture which takes into account human needs and natural phenomena; has stood up against the destruction of villages, whaling and Austria's entry into the European Union. H. is not only a painter, but has also worked as a designer of buildings (H.-Haus, 3^rd district of Vienna, 1986; parish church in Bärnbach, Styria, 1988; KunstHaus Wien, 3^rd district of Vienna 1991; District Heating Plant Spittelau, 9^th district of Vienna, 1988-1992; Blumau Thermal Village, Styria, 1993-1997; etc.), books (Brockhaus-Enzyklopädie, 1989; Bible, 1995), stamps, posters etc. From 1981-1997 was in charge of a master class for painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna; Grand Austrian State Prize in 1980.

Literature: W. Schmied, H., 1974; W. Schurian, H. - Schöne Wege, 1983; Das H.-Haus, 1985; W. Koschatzky, F. H., das vollständige druckgraphische Werk 1951-86, 1986; H., exhibition catalogue, Japan 1989; H. Rand, F. H., 1991; P. Restany, H., 1998.