The Formative Years in Vienna
Born in 1971 in Vienna, Austria, Isa Schmidlehner began a formal engagement with the visual arts that would define her professional trajectory. Her development was shaped by her time at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste Wien, where she studied from 1995 to 2001. This period of academic rigor provided the foundation for a practice that eventually moved between the cultural hubs of Vienna and Berlin.
Her early work reflects a deep immersion in the technical demands of painting. In 2006, she produced Damenklasse, a work utilizing both acrylic and oil. This period of her life was marked by a steady accumulation of recognition within the Austrian art scene, as she navigated the transition from student to a recognized practitioner.
Recognition and Artistic Milestones
The progression of her career is marked by several specific honors and institutional acknowledgments. These milestones reflect a growing presence in contemporary European art circles:
- 2010: Österreichisches Staatsstipendium
- 2012: Anton Faistauer Anerkennung Preis
- 2015: Atelieraufenthalt/Stipendium Beijing
These opportunities allowed her to expand her perspective beyond Central Europe, including a significant residency in Beijing. Such movements between cities and continents have contributed to the breadth of her professional experience.
The Language of Color and Form
Schmidlehner’s work is held in significant collections, including the Belvedere Museum Wien. One of her notable contributions to this collection is the 2007 work Bal de Purée. This piece, measuring 200 x 200 cm, represents a significant moment in her output during the mid-2000s.
Her practice involves a deliberate handling of materials, often working with oil and acrylic on canvas. The scale and composition of her works suggest a focused investigation into the physical presence of the medium. She continues to live and work between Berlin and Vienna, maintaining a presence in both cities.
