Günter Brus (Austrian, 1938) Lot n° 27

Gesamtweltliebe statt Gesamtkunstwerk - 1983 Pastel on Kraft paper 123 x 82 cm Signature and date top right As a co-founder of the Viennese Actionism in 1964 –alongside Otto Muehl, Hermann Nitsch, and Rudolf Schwarzkogler - Günter Brus has made an indelible mark on the European Post-War art scene. His actions, which often included self-mutilation and self-degradation, sought to shock a complacent Austrian bourgeoisie which had not yet dealt with its Nazi-past. As a draughtsman, Günter Brus reminds us also of his Viennese roots: one cannot help to find similarities in his bold, aggressive traits with the style of the Wiener Werkstätte, and more specifically Egon Schiele, who shocked the bourgeoisie of his time. Dealing with timeless themes of art, death, and decay, the works on paper by Günter Brus are no less powerful and disquieting than the performances with which he shocked Austria (and the rest of the world) awake. Provenance Galerie Petersen, Berlin Published B.W., Kunst: Die friedlichen Feldzüge des Günter Brus, in Tip Magazin, Berlin, 18/11 - 1/12/1983, p.82 (ill.) Exhibited 1983, Galerie Farideh Cadot, FIAC, Paris, 1983, ill. p.300 1983, Galerie Petersen, Berlin, Günter Brus. Blindes Brot (color ill.)