Gottfried Helnwein

Artist Biography

Gottfried Helnwein was born on October 8, 1948 in Vienna. He is an Austrian-Irish fine artist, photographer, and performance artist. "It is the function of the artist to evoke the experience of surprised recognition: to show the viewer what he knows but does not know that he knows. Helnwein is a master of surprised recognition.' - William Burroughs

Helnwein studied at the University of Visual Art in Vienna. He was awarded the Master-class prize of the University of Visual Art, Vienna, the Kardinal-Konig prize and the Theodor-Korner prize. His early art, prints and posters consist mainly of hyper-realistic watercolors, depicting wounded children, as well as performances, often with children, in public spaces.

Helnwein is a conceptual artist, concerned primarily with psychological and sociological anxiety, historical issues and political topics. As a result of this, his art, prints and posters are often considered provocative and controversial. He has worked as a painter, draftsman, photographer, muralist, sculptor and performance artist, using a wide variety of techniques and media. Helnwein is also known for his stage and costume designs of theater, ballet and opera productions, amongst them Staatsoper Hamburg, Volksbühne Berlin and Los Angeles Opera.

Gottfried Helnwein Art, Prints and Posters Collection