Kiki Kogelnik

Kiki Kogelnik, an Austrian artist, explored themes of gender, identity, and consumer culture through vibrant paintings, sculptures, and installations.

Biography of Kiki Kogelnik

Kiki Kogelnik, born in Bleiburg, Austria in 1935, laid the foundation for her artistic career at Vienna's Academy of Fine Arts. There, she immersed herself in the world of European Abstraction.

Seeking new artistic horizons, Kogelnik ventured to New York City in the early 1960s, where she thrived amidst a vibrant artistic community that included luminaries such as Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, and Andy Warhol.

A dramatic turn of events unfolded in 1966. While based in London, Kogelnik narrowly escaped a devastating fire that consumed her New York studio. The blaze completely destroyed the artwork of her downstairs neighbor, renowned artist Alfred Leslie. That same year, she  married radiation oncologist Dr. George Schwarz in London. Their son, Mono, was born in 1967, following which the family returned to New York.

The 1970s marked a pivotal shift in Kogelnik's practice. She turned her focus to a series now recognized as her "Women" works. These paintings and installations directly challenged the stereotypical portrayal of women in commercial advertising. Additionally, 1974 saw Kogelnik's foray into ceramics. 

By the 1980s, her work began to incorporate fragmented figures, symbols, and signs. This exploration culminated in her "Expansions" series.

Kiki Kogelnik passed away in Vienna, Austria, in 1997, leaving an enduring artistic legacy. To honor her memory and preserve her work, the Kiki Kogelnik Foundation was established in New York City. This non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting understanding and appreciation of her significant contributions to the art world.

Recognized for her exceptional talent, Kogelnik received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. Among these honors is the prestigious City of Vienna Prize for Visual Arts, awarded to her in 1995.

Her influential art is celebrated in renowned institutions worldwide. Her works can be admired at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, the Strabag Kunstforum in Vienna, the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., and many other prominent collections.

Kiki Kogelnik's Famous Paintings

Kogelnik's artistic repertoire was vast and varied, spanning paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. Her notable paintings include "Small Bomb for Alfons" (1963), "Women's Lib" (1971), "War Baby" (1972), "Lady and Triangles" (1979), "Crazy Bird" (1978), "Venetian Blinds" (1980), and many others.

Additionally, her body of work in sculpture and ceramics features pieces such as "Claes" (1970), "I Talk Too Much" (1986), "Eidechse" (1986), "Recycled 2" (1995), "Young Veronese" (1996), among others.

Kiki Kogelnik's Art Style

Kiki Kogelnik is renowned for her unique artistic style, blending elements of Pop art, feminism, and the avant-garde. Her work frequently delves into themes of technology, consumerism, gender, and the human body. Kogelnik’s paintings and drawings are marked by a striking fusion of vibrant compositions, featuring dynamic shapes and bold color planes reminiscent of modern advertising.

In the 1960s, Kogelnik’s work increasingly reflected her fascination with the human body, often depicting it through fragmented and isolated body parts.

In the 1970s, her artistic focus shifted more explicitly toward the depiction of women and the female figure. Her work evolved into a compelling exploration of femininity and gender roles. Through a series of paintings, Kogelnik critically examined the portrayal of women in commercial advertising, challenging societal expectations and the role of women within consumer culture.

In the 1980s, Kogelnik's artworks featured fragmented figures, signs, and symbols, adding layers of complexity and deeper meaning to her compositions.

In the 1990s, her artistic direction shifted significantly as she began exploring highly abstract yet emotionally expressive faces. This phase of her career was defined by a series of works that captured the essence of human expression through her distinct and innovative style.