Linz mourns for Helmuth Gsöllpointner: Art visionary goes from us

Linz mourns for Helmuth Gsöllpointner: Art visionary goes from us

Linz, Österreich - On June 3, 2025, the renowned metal sculptor and designer Helmuth Gsöllpointner died at the age of 91. It leaves a significant life's work that not only shaped the Linz art scene, but also the Linz University of Art for several decades. As a professor and rector of the University of Artistic and Industrial Design Linz, Gsöllpointner was a central figure in Austria's art and design landscape. According to Krone , he contributed significantly to the reputation Linz as an innovation center.

His studies on Viennese paved the way for a successful career. In the Voestalpine he learned casting processes and developed his own casting techniques that soon became his artistic trademark. With his leadership of the master class for metal at the Linz University of Art from 1973 to 2002, he laid the foundation for numerous artist careers. From 1977 to 1981 he was also the rector of the institution, which was raised to the university in 1973 and today has over 1,600 students, including a high number of female students ( Wikipedia ).

art and innovation combined

Gsöllpointner was known for the Forum Metall, a sculpture park in the Linz Danube Park. His artistic work included numerous innovative projects, including "Telescopic plastic" and "variable objects", which integrated various movement elements. These works can not only be found in the Danube Park, but also in many other public places in Linz, such as on the Mühlkreutobahn and in the university park. According to Kurier gsöllpointner left a lasting impression in the cityscape.

Another important contribution was the fountain at the BrucknerUni and a war memorial on the Bindermichl, which testifies to his ability to design art in public space. His Engagements as curator meant that significant international artists, such as Donald Judd, implemented projects in Linz and made the city an important place to exchange in contemporary art.

appreciation and legacy

The principal of the Linz University of Art, Brigitte Hütter, expressed her grief about the loss and praised Gsöllpointner as an intrepid visionary and valued rector. In 2013 he was awarded the university's honorary doctorate, and even after retiring from active teaching, he worked artistically. Despite health restrictions in his recent years, Gsöllpointner remained creative and presented a new series of work in Vienna in 2024.

his heir is continued by several honors, among other things by naming a room in the university library to him. Gsöllpointner's influence on the Linz art scene and its innovative nature will remain noticeable in the city, which appreciated him as a creative head.