1954 Bruck an der Mur

Erwin Wurm was born in Bruck an der Mur in 1954. Wurm is one of the most important contemporary artists in Austria and is one of the most important contemporary artists worldwide. He attended both the Academy of Fine Arts and the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, where he taught as a professor of sculpture, sculpture and multimedia until 2010. The sculptural art of the second half of the 20th century is characterized by a softening of the boundaries between the individual genres and a constant expansion of the concept of sculpture. Erwin Wurm carries this development into the 21st century with new, unexpected twists and turns. He questions the classic approaches to sculptural technology in an innovative, humorous and at the same time profound way. He also brings interactive, social and temporal aspects into play. In the “One Minute Sculptures” people pose with everyday objects and, guided by the artist, carry out certain actions that last a minute. Thus, the protagonists themselves become art objects for this period. In this context, one can speak of a completely new approach to sculpture, which is “reminiscent of Marcel Duchamp's readymades in its radicality” (Stella Rollig).

Through constantly renewing approaches, Wurm continually opens up new perspectives, which he explores in different series of works: “Dust Sculptures”, “Cloth Sculptures”, “Abstract Sculptures” and most recently the “Performative Sculptures” are to be mentioned here, as are the “Melting Houses”, the “Fat Cars” or “The artist who swallowed the world”, can be seen in a large exhibition at MUMOK in Vienna in 2006. Wurm's works are shown in galleries and museums worldwide, for example recently in São Paulo, Brazil or at the 57th Venice Biennale.

“Erwin Wurm has found an artistic language that is universal and widely understood. Your reference system can be received in the same way everywhere. Erwin Wurm’s work and impact are more international, successful and momentous than any other living Austrian artist.”