Christa Hauer: art icon and activist is celebrated in Lower Austria!

Christa Hauer: art icon and activist is celebrated in Lower Austria!

A comprehensive exhibition in honor of the late artist, gallerist and activist Christa Hauer will open in the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich from April 12th. This will be on view until March 1, 2026 and includes works from Hauer's former possessions as well as a variety of works of art by important artists who she supported. Gerda Ridler, the artistic director of the Landesgalerie NÖ, highlights Hauer's significant achievements, both as a gallery owner and as an advocate for equality in the art scene. Representatives of the country emphasize the importance of this exhibition to honor Hauer's legacy and her influence on art history.

Christa Hauer, born into an art-loving family, had a remarkable connection to art across generations. Her grandfather, Franz Hauer, was the innkeeper of the historic Griechenbeisl, the oldest inn in Vienna, and supported important artists such as Albin Egger-Lienz, Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka. Her father, Leopold Hauer, was also active in the art scene and worked as a painter and program director at the Vienna Künstlerhaus. Christa herself studied fine arts in Vienna and then went to the USA.

The gallery in the Greek Beisl

Together with her husband Johann Fruhmann, Hauer opened the gallery in the Griechenbeisl, which held a total of 122 exhibitions from 1960 to 1971. During this time they built a significant art collection, including not only their own works, but also notable works by artists they had supported. A large part of this collection was handed over to the Lower Austria State Collections, where it was expanded to around 1,600 works. The exhibition in the State Gallery brings this willing sharing of art and knowledge into focus.

The show also shows works by well-known artists, including Martha Jungwirth, Richard Kriesche, Jürgen Messensee and Karl Prantl. A special highlight is the selection of abstract paintings by Christa Hauer herself, which offers a deep insight into her artistic work. Alexandra Schantl, the curator of the exhibition, emphasizes the importance of Christa Hauer as an activist who campaigned for equal treatment of artists and was instrumental in founding the International Action Group of Visual Artists (IntAkt).

A lasting legacy

After their gallery closed, Hauer and Fruhmann moved to Lengenfeld Castle near Krems, where they established a cultural center. After Hauer's death, the castle became the property of the state of Lower Austria, but was later sold and is now privately owned. Hauer's commitment to the equality of artists in the art scene is vividly illustrated in the current exhibition, which deals with her life and work as well as the overarching role of women in Austrian art history.

The Austrian art landscape experienced significant developments from 1945 to the 1990s through a variety of movements, such as Viennese Actionism and the feminist avant-garde. Christa Hauer was part of this dynamic scene and her work is one of a number of important artists who had an important influence after the Second World War. Their place in art history is lastingly honored by this exhibition.

In addition to the extensive show, Christa Hauer's own work is on view at Galerie Kopriva in Krems until May 24th, further cementing her influence and legacy.

For further information about the exhibition and Christa Hauer's works, those interested can visit the website Small newspaper, the Art Mile and from Artvise visit.