A painter at heart, contemporary artist Alexandra Baumgartner believes that unless you get away from your comfort zone great things can’t happen.
I work a lot with found material, like photographs and objects. Then I see something that captures my imagination, and I feel like working it out. I usually have the best ideas unexpectedly, for example during a sleepless night.
Portrait by Dawin Meckel
How did your tryst with art begin?
It was always clear to me even as a child that I would follow an artistic direction. As a high school student I got a scholarship at the Summer Academy of Fine Arts with Nancy Spero and Leon Golub. It was the first serious examination of my work. It was a great experience and encouraged me in my desire to pursue my decision to study art.
Kosmos, 2019
Tell us about the evolution of your practice over the years.
I studied painting at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, and that became the dominating medium for me. After my diploma, when I had a studio in Leipzig in 2005, I started with collages, and later in Berlin I started making installations. So the medium was constantly expanding, but the source material and the intention of my work are the same: I work with found photographs and objects.
Distance, 2018
What were your biggest lessons and hurdles along the way? Which is the most memorable moment?
There isn’t any singular moment I can pick out. It is a constant learning process. For me personally, keeping some distance has served me well: residencies in Paris and ten years in Berlin have led me closer to my myself and my work. I feel it is important to leave your comfort zone to expand your work. Dealing with the constant doubts and questions, and not least the exchange with other artist colleagues are helpful.
Exhibition View, Separations, Galerie Wagner+Partner, Berlin 2019
What inspires you? Take us through your process and continuous frameworks of reference.
Most of my work is search and find. I work a lot with found material, like photographs and objects. Then I see something that captures my imagination, and I feel like working it out. I usually have the best ideas unexpectedly, for example during a sleepless night. Places where I can find something are inspiring for me, such as various flea markets or even DIY stores!
Introspection03, 2018
What is the primary role of an artist? How do you describe yourself in the context of challenging people’s perspectives via your work and art?
I certainly want to ask questions with my work, but I give no answers. My work is intuitive: ideally viewers will identify with an emotion, reflect upon their feelings, recognise themselves or allow confusion… looking at pictures takes time. My works are generally quiet pieces that do not satisfy instantly. It takes a little time and leisure. In these times where you have social media with its catchy pictures, and things get bigger and more spectacular to attract attention, I want people to take time, to look closely, to move inward, to feel something inside.
Untitled, 2013
How do you balance art and life?
It’s never really balanced! I guess that is a professional risk, because it’s hard to switch off your constant search. I don’t really know what weekends are supposed to be, and I rarely do real vacations. When I travel, it tends to be for exhibitions – somehow you are constantly in this process.
How does your audience interact and react to your work?
Many people want an explanation and they ask questions before they take a close look at the artwork. I prefer it when they try to let the work sink in by itself. But sometimes a nice conversation comes about, where viewers tell me their thoughts about the work and that opens a new perspective for me.
Circles, 2017
What are you looking for when you look at other artists’ work? Which shows, performances and experiences have shaped your own creative process? Who are your maestros?
There is no single role model. There are many contemporary and old artists that I really appreciate. One show that shaped me when I was a schoolgirl was a large show by Peter Greenaway in Vienna called 100 Objects To Represent The World in 1992 that really inspired me and furthered my decision to make art my profession.
Black Circle, 2017
What are you working on?
My next exhibition will be in the spring at Galerie Schloss Wiespach. I am preparing for it now.
Before you go – you might like to browse our Artist Interviews. Interviews of artists and outliers on how to be an artist. Contemporary artists on the source of their creative inspiration.