The painter and sculptor Josef Kern is the Lower Austrian award winner 2024 in the visual arts category. He is one of the main representatives of figurative painting in Austria.
Josef Kern’s (*1953) entire work reflects essential traditions such as expressionism, realism and surrealism. His works are characterized by sensuality and vitality, nudity and eroticism, beauty and horror and reveal Kern’s engagement with our world and society.
Gerda Ridlerartistic director of the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich, emphasizes: “I am pleased to be able to once again present Josef Kern, a local artist of national importance. After Isolde Maria Joham, Thomas Reinhold and Franka Lechner, Kern is the fourth award winner to whom we are dedicating a personal exhibition in the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich.”
Hubert Nitschcurator of the exhibition, highlights the artist’s consistent work: “Josef Kern has remained true to his visual language for decades. His works impress with a sensual readability that is timeless and current at the same time.”
In the tradition of Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt
Kern’s paintings include portraits and still lifes, often characterized by an erotic note. He addresses people in all their facets. The group of his self-portraits, in which he often shows himself naked in his studio, is particularly striking. Like his female nudes, they are unmistakable due to their detailing and staging. With these depictions, Kern follows in the tradition of Austrian masters such as Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt.
Floral motifs also play a central role. Kern’s deep concern with life and death is expressed in his still lifes and nature pictures. The artist transfers the sensual aesthetics of his depictions of people to flower portraits. In his carved reliefs, which often have surrealistic features, he combines human, organic and technical forms in an innovative way.
Personal and Artist Talk
The staff in the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich shows Josef Kern’s painting and sculptural masterpieces from four decades and invites you to a sensual experience of his artistic vision. On January 25, 2025, the artist will be a guest at the Landesgalerie for the Artist Talk with curator Hubert Nitsch.
JOSEF KERN
NÖ AWARD WINNER 2024
30.11.2024 – 21.04.2025
www.kunstmeile.at/kern
Opening: Fri November 29th, 2024, 6:00 p.m
Landesgalerie Niederösterreich, Museumsplatz 1, 3500 Krems an der Donau
Register at: kunstmeile.at/anmelde
Artist Talk
Josef Kern in conversation with curator Hubert Nitsch
Sat January 25th, 2025, 3:00 p.m
Press photos: https://celum.noeku.at/pinaccess/showpin.do?pinCode=Josef-Kern
Press area: www.kunstmeile.at/presse/landesgalerie
Photos for the opening (online on November 29th, 2024 from 9 p.m.): https://www.apa-fotoservice.at/galerie/35913