Independent Collectors

Austrian Contemporary Art

Sliced into the green hills of Austria's Carinthia district you'll find the sleek, exposed concrete building that the Museum Liaunig calls home.

(l–r) WOLFGANG ERNST, Untitled, 2015; Untitled, 2015; Untitled, 1994; Untitled, 2015; Untitled, 2015. Courtesy Galerie Gerhard Sommer. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) WOLFGANG ERNST, Untitled, 2015; Untitled, 2015; Untitled, 1994; Untitled, 2015; Untitled, 2015. Courtesy Galerie Gerhard Sommer. © Museum Liaunig, Austria

Sliced into the green hills of Austria’s Carinthia district you’ll find the sleek, exposed concrete building that the Museum Liaunig calls home.

Designed by the Viennese architects Querkraft, a whopping ninety percent of the rooms at Museum Liaunig are located underground, in the belly of the hill. Opening in 2008, collector Herbert W. Liaunig had the space dramatically expanded in 2014 to make way for the mammoth collection of some 3 000 works, including key pieces of Austrian postwar art by artists such as Arnulf Rainer and Maria Lassnig.

In addition to the expansive collection of postwar Austrian art, Liaunig is also an avid collector of younger positions, as well as having a historical collection of decorated glass and portrait miniatures from the 16th to 19th century and a rounded presentation of African beaded art. Since it’s opening in 2008, the museum has gone on to exhibit over 250 artists, all of whom are included in Liaunig’s collection

In their second online exhibition, we present works from the Museum Liaunig.

HERMANN J PAINITZ, Demonstration und Reihung der Bildelemente, 1966. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
HERMANN J PAINITZ, Demonstration und Reihung der Bildelemente, 1966. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
SIEGFRIED ANZINGER, Buddha I, 1993. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
SIEGFRIED ANZINGER, Buddha I, 1993. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
HERMANN J PAINITZ, VIER, 1991. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
HERMANN J PAINITZ, VIER, 1991. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) HERMANN J. PAINITZ, Einundzwanzig (Variationsplastik), 1967; Tetraktys, 2015/16; Formation kreisförmiger Elemente oder zusammengesetzte Form, 1968; Abläufe – Kreisläufe – Reihungen" mit vier Kupfer- und zwei Farbkupferstichen, 1966. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) HERMANN J. PAINITZ, Einundzwanzig (Variationsplastik), 1967; Tetraktys, 2015/16; Formation kreisförmiger Elemente oder zusammengesetzte Form, 1968; Abläufe – Kreisläufe – Reihungen" mit vier Kupfer- und zwei Farbkupferstichen, 1966. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) HERMANN J. PAINITZ, Demonstration eines Ablaufes über sechs Bilder, 1968; Demonstration und Reihung der Bildelemente, 1966. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) HERMANN J. PAINITZ, Demonstration eines Ablaufes über sechs Bilder, 1968; Demonstration und Reihung der Bildelemente, 1966. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) HERMANN J. PAINITZ, Hinter den Erscheinungen…, 2006; Tetraktys, 2015; Tetraktys, 2015/16. Courtesy Artmark Galerie, Vienna. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) HERMANN J. PAINITZ, Hinter den Erscheinungen…, 2006; Tetraktys, 2015; Tetraktys, 2015/16. Courtesy Artmark Galerie, Vienna. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) HERMANN J. PAINITZ, Geburtstag, 2006; Oskar Schlemmer, 2001; Kasimir Malewitsch, 2001. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) HERMANN J. PAINITZ, Geburtstag, 2006; Oskar Schlemmer, 2001; Kasimir Malewitsch, 2001. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
ALOIS MOSBACHER, Untitled, 1980. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
ALOIS MOSBACHER, Untitled, 1980. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
HUBERT SCHMALIX, Isabel Drive, Fresnaida 01, 2005. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
HUBERT SCHMALIX, Isabel Drive, Fresnaida 01, 2005. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) SIEGFRIED ANZINGER, Hosenträgermadonna, 2004/05; ERWIN WURM, Liegende, 1983; HUBERT SCHMALIX, Untitled (Häuserbild), 1999; Isabel Drive, Fresnaida 02, 2005; Isabel Drive, Fresnaida 01, 2005. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) SIEGFRIED ANZINGER, Hosenträgermadonna, 2004/05; ERWIN WURM, Liegende, 1983; HUBERT SCHMALIX, Untitled (Häuserbild), 1999; Isabel Drive, Fresnaida 02, 2005; Isabel Drive, Fresnaida 01, 2005. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) FRITZ PANZER, Schreibstube, 2008; ALFRED KLINKAN, Schani geht ins Wirtshaus, 1972. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) FRITZ PANZER, Schreibstube, 2008; ALFRED KLINKAN, Schani geht ins Wirtshaus, 1972. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
HERMANN J. PAINITZ, Einundzwanzig (Variationsplastik), 1967. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
HERMANN J. PAINITZ, Einundzwanzig (Variationsplastik), 1967. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) WOLFGANG ERNST, SYNKATABASIS, 2016; CREATOR SPIRITUS – EXITUS MORTIS, 1998; Untitled, 1994. Courtesy Galerie Gerhard Sommer. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) WOLFGANG ERNST, SYNKATABASIS, 2016; CREATOR SPIRITUS – EXITUS MORTIS, 1998; Untitled, 1994. Courtesy Galerie Gerhard Sommer. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
WOLFGANG ERNST, FERMENT – AZUR, 1995. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
WOLFGANG ERNST, FERMENT – AZUR, 1995. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) MICHAEL KIENZER, Untitled, 2003; Untitled, 1995; GUNTER DAMISCH, Leuchtrotsilberwegnetz, 2013; ERWIN BOHATSCH, Untitled, 2001; PETER KOGLER, Untitled, 2010. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) MICHAEL KIENZER, Untitled, 2003; Untitled, 1995; GUNTER DAMISCH, Leuchtrotsilberwegnetz, 2013; ERWIN BOHATSCH, Untitled, 2001; PETER KOGLER, Untitled, 2010. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) ROMAN SCHEIDL, Große Wasser, 1997; BRIGITTE KOWANZ, L. I. W. M.S.-ivesflu, 1996; FRANZ GRAF Untitled, 1986. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) ROMAN SCHEIDL, Große Wasser, 1997; BRIGITTE KOWANZ, L. I. W. M.S.-ivesflu, 1996; FRANZ GRAF Untitled, 1986. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) ERWIN BOHATSCH, Untitled, 1998; Untitled, 2002; HANS KUPELWIESER, Schraube geschnitten, 1987; GERWALD ROCKENSCHAUB, Untitled, 1984; ERWIN WURM, Untitled (Hose), 1988. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) ERWIN BOHATSCH, Untitled, 1998; Untitled, 2002; HANS KUPELWIESER, Schraube geschnitten, 1987; GERWALD ROCKENSCHAUB, Untitled, 1984; ERWIN WURM, Untitled (Hose), 1988. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) HERBERT BRANDL, Der Wasserfall II, 1982; FRANZ WEST, Untitled, 1996; Paßstück; HERBERT BRANDL, Untitled, 1984; ERWIN BOHATSCH, Nerv, 1988. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) HERBERT BRANDL, Der Wasserfall II, 1982; FRANZ WEST, Untitled, 1996; Paßstück; HERBERT BRANDL, Untitled, 1984; ERWIN BOHATSCH, Nerv, 1988. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) ALFRED KLINKAN, Schani geht ins Wirtshaus, 1972; JAKOB GASTEIGER, 4. 5. 2006; ERWIN BOHATSCH, Untitled 03, 2010; Untitled, 2015; OTTO ZITKO, Untitled, 2000; ERWIN BOHATSCH, Untitled, 2001; HANNES PRIESCH, BUY WAR NOW, 2002; BUSH WAR, 2002; Jesus and George: You are either with us, 2005; MICHAEL KIENZER, Untitled, 2003; GUNTER DAMISCH, Leuchtrotsilberwegnetz, 2013; Fahles Weltwegzellenfeld, 2011; FRITZ PANZER, Schreibstube, 2008; FRANZ GRAF, Untitled. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. Courtesy Galeria Heinrich Ehrhardt, Madrid; Galerie Elisabeth & Klaus Thoman, Innsbruck/Vienna. © Otto Zitko and Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) ALFRED KLINKAN, Schani geht ins Wirtshaus, 1972; JAKOB GASTEIGER, 4. 5. 2006; ERWIN BOHATSCH, Untitled 03, 2010; Untitled, 2015; OTTO ZITKO, Untitled, 2000; ERWIN BOHATSCH, Untitled, 2001; HANNES PRIESCH, BUY WAR NOW, 2002; BUSH WAR, 2002; Jesus and George: You are either with us, 2005; MICHAEL KIENZER, Untitled, 2003; GUNTER DAMISCH, Leuchtrotsilberwegnetz, 2013; Fahles Weltwegzellenfeld, 2011; FRITZ PANZER, Schreibstube, 2008; FRANZ GRAF, Untitled. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. Courtesy Galeria Heinrich Ehrhardt, Madrid; Galerie Elisabeth & Klaus Thoman, Innsbruck/Vienna. © Otto Zitko and Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) HANS KUPELWIESER, Untitled, 2010; GERWALD ROCKENSCHAUB, #10130 Picture, 2013. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
(l–r) HANS KUPELWIESER, Untitled, 2010; GERWALD ROCKENSCHAUB, #10130 Picture, 2013. Installation view from the exhibition "Continuity and Disruptions – ways in the “New Painting“ in the 1980s in Austria", 2017. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
ROMAN SCHEIDL, Der Kleine Wagen, 1982. © Museum Liaunig, Austria
ROMAN SCHEIDL, Der Kleine Wagen, 1982. © Museum Liaunig, Austria

Australia (16)

White Rabbit

Judith Neilso’s collection is located in an old factory in Sydney’s industrial district.

JAHM – Justin Art House Museum

Given its spacious and unorthodox design, the JAHM looks more like a public exhibition venue than a private residence.

Lyon Housemuseum

A 40-minute tram ride from Melbourne takes you to this unique hybrid space

ARNDT Collection

Tiffany Wood and Matthias Arndt aim to collect works that create disturbance

The Elliott Eyes Collection

In the Victorian townhouse of the Elliot Eyes Collection, art fills every available wall and corner. Interview with Gordon Elliott.

Observance & Turbulent Water

Two Exhibitions at the University of Melbourne’s Buxton Contemporary

Palmer Sculpture Landscape

Greg Johns has created a symbiotic relationship between art and the ancient landscape of South Australia

Get Nude With Art and Stuart Ringholt

Buxton Contemporary has a new artistic support project, ‘Light Source commissions’, launched with Stuart Ringholt’s “Looking at a painting without clothes on in the safety of your own home”.

Bauhaus Now!

The Buxton Contemporary, shares "Bauhaus Now!" with a range of contemporary experiments inspired by the Bauhaus diaspora.

Lyon Housemuseum 2017

If collecting is about the bond between artwork and collector, then the Lyon Housemuseum is the result of when art and life merge together.

22nd Biennale of Sydney

The 22nd Biennale of Sydney, NIRIN, lives on through a diverse virtual program to be launched soon, as well as this Online Exhibition in the meantime!

Museum of Old and New Art

Collector and philanthropist David Walsh has created Australia’s largest private museum.

Matthias Arndt

„In the beginning and in the end, you have to love your artworks for their inherent value, the beauty but also the artistic vision they represent“

A Blueprint for Ruins – The White Rabbit Gallery

A Blueprint for Ruins highlights the urban references in 21st-century Chinese art and is the most successful exhibition of the collection so far.

JAHM ARTitecture

JUSTIN ART HOUSE MUSEUM – ARTitecture: Artists Visioning the World Built by Man