High Prize for the Artist Herbert Brandel – State of Styria

Vienna/Graz (6 March 2024). – In his studio in Vienna, the Governor presented the award Christopher Drexler On Wednesday (March 6, 2024), the Styrian State Medal of Honor for Science, Research and Arts was awarded to the Styrian native. Herbert Brandel. Born in Graz in 1959 and raised in Schwanberg, the painter and sculptor used his studies at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna as a springboard for a brilliant career.

“Huge paintings with abstract patterns, Lucky Looks and mountain peaks, simple color ink paintings, colorful color prints and animal sculptures characterize large parts of his work. “What seems like a list of works and the focus of many artists came only from the spirit of Herbert Brandel,” noted L.H. Christopher Drexler in his letter lauds, among other things, Brandel's diverse wealth. “The painter and sculptor's most important subjects are immersive panoramas of towering mountain formations and rocks, images of floodplain landscapes, waterfalls and torrents, ponds and meadows. Herbert Brandel's artistic approach to nature is not only a romantic historical approach, but also a contemporary one. He consciously deals with the environmental problems of the 21st century and acts as a committed environmentalist. The state governor said during the show, which was held in Vienna: “I would like to thank an important artist and congratulate him on receiving the Medal of Honor.”

To the person:
Herbert Brandl studied at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. In addition to his artistic work, Brandl has taught at the Düsseldorf Art Academy for more than 15 years. He lives and works in Vienna. With his often expressive drawing movements and strong colours, Brandl joined the New Wild Ones group early in his artistic career. In 1989, Herbert Brandl made his debut at the São Paulo Biennale. Other exhibitions of international importance: Paris Biennale (1985), Museum of Art of the City of Paris (1990), Documenta IX (1992) and Kunsthalle Basel, Museum of Contemporary Art (Painting in Motion, 2002). In 2007, his works were at the Venice Biennale. See him in the Austrian Pavilion.

Vienna/Graz, 6 March 2024