Martina Gasser: humorous painting that reinterprets realism

Martina Gasser: humorous painting that reinterprets realism

In her studio at Neulerchenfelder Straße 56 in Vienna-Ottakring, the artist Martina Gasser creates fascinating works that are deeply inspired by photography. This painter has set itself the task of questioning the everyday life in a humorous and surprising way.

Countless splashes of paint on the walls testify to the years that Gasser has spent in her artistic career. The native of Innsbruck, who has lived in Vienna since 1995, originally started her career as a trained photographer before discovering her passion for painting at the Academy of Fine Arts.

The connection of photography and painting

Gasser's pictures often reflect photographic elements. It uses techniques such as lens techniques and plays with the depth to achieve a realistic representation. Despite these photo -realistic approaches, it is important to the artist to break up the norms of realism through humorous and absurd elements. "Almost photo -realistic portraits, which always have such a certain smile or a humor or absurd elements with inside," she describes her own art.

An impressive example is her picture of an old man who apparently dates from the last century and wears a women's bra on his head. This combination is intended to break down the familiar and encourage the viewers to think differently about everyday things. According to Gasser, these alienations create an atmosphere that makes the picture unique.

Since 2002, Gasser has been part of the lively Ottakringer art scene. Together with her partner Franz Schuster, she operates Denis art showcase at Brunnengasse 45, which you have been running since 2012. The two artists were recently awarded the Ottakringer Art Prize 2023, where they took first place.

an inspiring district

Gasser emphasizes how much the Ottakring district shaped her artistic career. The diverse artist community, which supports each other, helped her to develop in her art. It also appreciates the multicultural atmosphere around the fountain market, which has expanded its creative horizon: "That just makes it more open to other cultures," she says.

The artist has found that the attitude to life in Ottakring is something that she was looking for in Austria for a long time. "As a result, my emigration plans became a matter of attending," she says with a laugh, and emphasizes that she no longer thinks about leaving her home. Her passionate devotion to painting is also evident in her studio, where every color blob is a testimony to your creative process.

Currently her work "Portrait of my great-grandmother Rose Krenn (2021-22)" will be exhibited in the art show window Denis until December 11th and invites visitors to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Martina Gasser. Her work is not only an expression of personal history, but also deeply rooted in the lively culture of Ottakring.

For more information about the inspiring artist and her work, .