MARKUS SCHINWALD
b. 1973, AustriaMarkus Schinwald is an Austrian contemporary artist renowned for his psychologically charged explorations that explore culture, history, and perception. In 2011, he represented Austria at the 54th Venice Biennale in 2011.
Early Life and Background
Born in Salzburg in 1973, Schinwald studied at the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Linz and Humboldt University in Berlin. He now divides his time between Vienna and New York, and he is also a professor of art. With a background that spans psychoanalysis, theatre, performance, and art history, Schinwald draws from varied influences to inform his multidisciplinary practice.
Markus Schinwald Artworks
Markus Schinwald’s work is distinguished by interventions into historical and everyday forms, notably his manipulation of 19th-century Biedermeier portraits. These paintings are altered with incongruous prosthetics and objects—such as surgical masks, neck braces, and orthodontic devices—that disrupt familiar conventions and evoke bodily constraints. His practice bridges painting, sculpture, installation, film, and performance, often exploring metamorphosis, dysfunction, and the uncanny. Schinwald’s installations and marionettes reference psychological states, social rituals, and fragmented narratives, revealing a fascination with corporal gestures and psychological depth.
Seminal Works and Developments
- Biedermeier portrait series (ongoing): Painting interventions featuring prostheses and objects.
- ‘Extensions and Monuments’ (2022): Oil painting and sculpture series merging antique furniture and a contemporary painterly aesthetic.
- Marionette installations, such as those shown in ‘Misfits’ (2021), mark his engagement with movement, manipulation, and repetition.
- Large-scale spatial intervention at the Venice Biennale (2011), transforming the Austrian Pavilion into a physical labyrinth.
- Sculptural assemblages fashioned from historic furniture, exploring anthropomorphism and dislocation.
Exhibitions
Markus Schinwald has exhibited widely at leading institutions. Select solo museum exhibitions include:
- Fondazione Coppola, Vicenza (2021)
- Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga (2017)
- Magasin III, Stockholm (2015)
- M Leuven (2014–15)
- SFMoMA and the CCA Wattis Institute, San Francisco (2014)
- Palais de Tokyo, Paris (2013)
- Kunstverein Hannover (2011)
- Kunsthaus Bregenz (2009)
Awards and Accolades
- Represented Austria at the 54th Venice Biennale (2011)
- Works held by MoMA, Tate, Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, Kunsthaus Zürich, Belvedere Vienna, Hamburger Kunsthalle
Markus Schinwald FAQs
Who is Markus Schinwald?
Markus Schinwald is a multidisciplinary Austrian artist, recognised for his psychologically charged, transhistorical interventions in painting, sculpture, and installation. He represented Austria at the Venice Biennale in 2011 and exhibits internationally. You can follow Markus Schinwald on Ocula to learn more about his work, art for sale, and upcoming exhibitions.
Where can I see work by Markus Schinwald?
Works by Markus Schinwald are held in major museums including MoMA in New York, Tate Modern in London, and Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris. You can follow Markus Schinwald on Ocula to receive alerts on upcoming exhibitions by the artist.
Are there any lesser-known facts about Markus Schinwald?
Schinwald is passionate about psychoanalysis and integrates historical influences, like the Biedermeier period, into his practice. You can follow Markus Schinwald on Ocula to receive alerts on news about the artist.
What is a famous quote by Markus Schinwald?
‘I see art as something driven by scepticism and opposition. I want to develop work that addresses contemporary issues and at the same time looks at art history.’
How is Markus Schinwald’s name pronounced?
Markus Schinwald is pronounced ‘Mark-us Shin-wald.’
Where can I buy Markus Schinwald’s work?
Markus Schinwald is represented by leading contemporary galleries. Explore Ocula for gallery representation and direct enquiries or contact Ocula’s art advisory team to find out more about buying or selling his work.
Ocula | 2025
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