Friedensreich Hundertwasser

Friedensreich Hundertwasser

About the Artist:

• Hundertwasser was born on 15th December 1928 in Vienna, Austria.
• His real name is Friedrich Stowasser.
• After World War 2, Hundertwasser studied for three months at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. He left to go travelling.
• The first exhibition of his work was held in Vienna in 1952.
• Hundertwasser has produced many different types of works of art (ranging from paintings, postage stamps, clothes, flags). His work often includes bright colours and natural, organic forms. He seldom uses straight lines, and uses lots of spirals
• He also became interested in architecture and he has designed many houses using irregular forms and bold use of colour.

• Hundertwasser had very strong political views, shaped by his experiences of the Nazi regime during World War 2. He was anti-totalitarian and campaigned against the European Union because he thought it would eradicate regional variation. He was also very aware of environmental issues.
• Towards the end of his life, Hundertwasser settled in New Zealand, and he was buried there after his death at sea on the ship Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2000. He was 71.