Artistic Style and Material Usage

Franz Amann rejects the standard constraints of the traditional frame. His works rarely consist of ordinary rectangular canvases, opting instead for unconventional geometries that disrupt the viewer's expectation of space. He has utilized star-shaped canvases to create a sense of suspension, where the form appears to hover or descend, sometimes anchored only by a small pedestal that connects the object to the earth. This departure from the standard rectangle shifts the focus from the image alone to the physical presence of the object itself.

The materiality of his practice is heavy and tactile. Franz Amann works with a diverse range of substances, combining the delicate with the industrial. He employs oil on canvas, lacquer, and paper, but these are often integrated with much more rugged elements. His installations and sculptures frequently incorporate iron, wood, and stone. In certain pieces, he layers canvas, wood, dispersion, and stone to build physical depth. The presence of iron and wood alongside color creates a tension between the organic and the manufactured, making the physical weight of the work a central component of the visual experience.

Notable Works and Artistic Projects

In 2009, Amann produced Ja, Panik, an oil on canvas work that also functioned as a record cover for “The Angst and The Money.” This piece marks a specific moment in his output, existing alongside other cataloged works such as No. 1. His practice often moves away from the standard rectangular canvas, favoring unconventional forms and structural interventions.

The year 2023 saw a surge of production involving diverse materials. He created Staatskünstlerinnenbau blau and the large-scale Wand-Bau, the latter constructed from canvas, wood, dispersion, and stone. His work during this period frequently engages with physical boundaries and defensive structures. This is evident in the 2023 pieces defense 1 and defense 2, which utilize iron, wood, and color, as well as the work with defense 1.

• Ja, Panik (2009)
• No. 1 (about 2014)
• Staatskünstlerinnenbau blau (2023)
• defense 1 (2023)
• defense 2 (2023)
• Wand-Bau (2023)

Exhibitions and Public Recognition

The trajectory of Amann's presence in the regional art scene is marked by specific, localized engagements. In 2012, his work appeared in the Heimspiel exhibition, a juried regional event covering the artistic output of the Cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Thurgau, the Principality of Liechtenstein, and Vorarlberg.

The year 2023 brings a shift toward collaborative and institutional spaces. His work was featured in the COUNTERMEASURE show, held between May 5 and May 12, 2023. This period also saw the presentation of large-scale installations, such as Wand-Bau, which utilized canvas, wood, dispersion, and stone.

Looking toward 2025, his visibility extends into the publication and exhibition spheres. A piece of his work was featured in the September 2025 issue of the newspaper Thema Vorarlberg. During the same year, the Kunstverein Eisenstadt hosts an exhibition titled “Zwischen Stufen, Phasen, Stopps (Tun für Tun),” running from March 7 to April 27, 2025.