Early Life and Artistic Training

Born in 1973 in Klagenfurt, Austria, Eric Kressnig began his life in a region that would eventually serve as a backdrop for much of his creative development. His early years in Klagenfurt provided the foundation for a career defined by a deep connection to his Austrian roots, even as his professional path would eventually lead him to the bustling urban centers of Europe.

The trajectory of his artistic life took a significant turn when he moved to Vienna to pursue formal training. Between 1996 and 2001, Eric Kressnig studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. During these formative years, he worked under the guidance of Gunter Damisch, a period of study that helped shape his approach to the visual arts. This intensive training in Vienna provided him with the technical grounding and conceptual framework necessary to transition from a student to a professional visual artist.

Technique and Artistic Style

Kressnig works at the intersection of several disciplines, refusing to stay confined to a single medium. His practice is a careful blend of painting, object, and installation. He often moves between the flat surface of a canvas and the physical presence of three-dimensional objects. This approach allows him to explore how different materials interact within a shared space. He works with wood, metal, acrylic, and canvas, selecting each for its specific weight and texture.

There is a quiet discipline in his visual language. He relies on a reduced palette and a simplified vocabulary of forms to communicate. Rather than relying on complex imagery, he focuses on the way elements are positioned in relation to one another. He builds his own internal logic, where the placement of an object or a line dictates the meaning of the whole piece. This creates a sense of tension through subtle shifts and minimal deviations from a perceived system.

In his more sculptural works, the physical properties of the materials become central to the experience. He uses the edges and surfaces of wood and metal to create a sense of structure that feels both deliberate and slightly off-balance. This focus on the relationship between parts—how one shape meets another or how a material breaks against a surface—is the core of his method. He seeks the moment where a simple arrangement begins to shift into something more complex.

Exhibitions and Professional Recognition

Kressnig’s career has been marked by several significant milestones that reflect his growing presence in the contemporary art scene. In 2002, he was honored with the Bank Austria Art Prize, a recognition that arrived early in his professional development. This was followed by a period of international engagement, including a 2007 scholarship at the Cité des arts in Paris, France. These opportunities allowed him to expand his perspective beyond his Austrian roots and engage with different creative environments.

His work has also been supported by prestigious institutional honors. In 2008, he received the Austrian State Scholarship for Contemporary Visual Arts, a distinction that speaks to the seriousness of his practice. Later, in 2014, he spent time as an artist in residence at a studio in Osthafen, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. This residency provided a space to develop his specific logic of form and material away from his usual surroundings.

Throughout his career, his pieces have found their way into various important collections. His presence is felt in several public institutions, including:

• Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna
• Kupferstichkabinett der Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Vienna
• Sammlung der Stadt Wien
• MMKK Museum Moderner Kunst Kärnten
• Museum Liaunig, Neuhaus

Key Works and Notable Pieces

Kressnig’s practice often moves between the tactile presence of objects and the flat surface of a canvas. His 2022 work, Facing Lontano #2, uses acrylic on linen to explore space through a more traditional medium. This approach to materiality is also evident in Wum, a 2024 piece created with acrylic and ink on linen. These works show a preference for how different substances interact when applied to fabric.

He frequently steps away from the canvas to work with industrial and structural materials. The piece Like it, which spans the years 2012 to 2023, is composed of brass, glass, MDF, and lacquer. By combining these elements, he creates a physical presence that relies on the weight and reflection of the materials themselves. This interest in the physical properties of an object is a recurring theme in his output.

His earlier explorations also provide insight into his evolving logic. Around 2008, he produced a work titled Untitled, which reflects the foundational systems he began developing during his time in Vienna. His practice remains focused on the subtle shifts and small deviations found within these constructed systems.

• Untitled (about 2008)
• Like it (2012/2023)
• Wum (2024)
• Facing Lontano #2 (2022)

Where to See the Works Today

Finding Eric Kressnig’s pieces often means visiting the institutions that safeguard Austria's visual history. His work is held within the collection of the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere in Vienna, a place where his specific approach to form and material meets a vast history of art. You can also find his contributions in the Sammlung der Stadt Wien, which keeps his pieces as part of the city's permanent artistic record.

For those looking to see his work in a more regional context, the MMKK Museum Moderner Kunst Kärnten maintains a collection that includes his pieces. His presence in the art world is also felt through the Museum Liaunig in Neuhaus/Suha, where his works are held within their permanent holdings. These locations ensure that his explorations of geometry and material remain accessible to those who study the evolution of contemporary Austrian art.