Franz Grabmayr Fire painting 2000

Franz Grabmayr was born in 1927 in Carinthia, Austrtia. He started his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna with Robin Christian Andersen quite late in life, in 1954 till 1964. The theme of his work is ranging from sand pits, sheafs, waterfalls and ponds. One of Grabmayr’s characteristics is his pastose use of paint and his dynamic brushwork.
In the beginning of the 1980s, Grabmayr developed a special interest in the element of fire, interpreting it artistically in his fire and ash paintings and pictures of charred rootstocks in the sand pit.
By mixing ash and other materials into the black oil paint, Grabmayr expands his means of expression. He remains true to his characteristic painting style by applying the colors extremely pastose, almost piling them onto the canvas, vigorously with broad brushes and spatulas. The dynamic gesture is elementarily palpable and captivates the viewer with its sculptural force.