Barbara Kropfitsch

"Art - or no art?" - that is the question here!

The greatest work of art, however, is the human being itself! - which in its most diverse, individual manifestations results in a colourful picture.

So let the artworks speak for themselves and be authentic!

The development of the artist and the work is inextricably linked to human development, the development of humanity. The biography, embedded in a larger whole, is decisive for creative work. That is why I see the personal experience of every human being, "true encounters" with other people, with nature, with philosophy, as being of decisive importance in order to speak the "ancient language of the soul" with its riddles and secrets of life and sometimes also to ask about the meaning of life...

As an artist I work with clay (earth) and language (poetry).

Two experiences were of essential importance at the beginning of my work with clay.

One was the task of modelling a human figure out of a lump of clay with my eyes closed, which was a very special experience after a night of dancing. The sculptural element in my work developed from this.

The other was to be a "thumb bowl", which was broken into a bowl with the thumb from a hand-sized, spherical piece of compact clay. All other larger forms are like extensions of this "thumb bowl". This "primal impulse" of moulding a hollow space from a compact spherical shape still moves and fascinates me today. That's why I initially spent a long time working with vessels. Included in this was also the theme of "empty space", intensified to the idea of "nothingness".

The construction of a piece is done almost exclusively with bare hands as the only tool. I consciously use only clay, rarely ceramic glazes, but no mixed and material combinations. To model the hollow sculptures (not like sculptures), I use a simple construction technique in which clay strands and clay plates are assembled and joined together.

The combination of physical and mental strength, concentration and a kind of meditation on life accompanies the entire work process.

In my poetry, I experience an interception of words and sentences that appear as if from "nowhere" and that I model on paper, but by no means on one of the screen, button or keyboard devices....

I was born in 1963 in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee in Austria. Since childhood, I have been involved in dance, music, language, handicrafts and sport alongside my school education. In 1982 I moved to Vienna, where I found my adopted home. I attended the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna for a few semesters. This was followed by the Vienna School of Art and the University of Art and Industrial Design in Linz, Austria.

But finally: "Let the artworks speak for themselves and be authentic!"

ATTENTION! Currently reachable: Mobile +43 676 364 26 03 /Mail: [email protected]

Other data in progress

Sometimes we whisper

in mysterious vaults -

Shielded by invisible hands

break through plump inflorescences

undulating fields of souls -

And inwardly as if moved

of the sparkling spirit

to change in the human archetype -

Let's discard old garments

to shine in joyful

Wisdom dress -

In the happiness of feeling hands,

that give light and vitality

under the protection of enveloping vaults -

"Art - or no art?" - that is here the question!

The greatest artwork still is man himself! - that, in his different individual characteristics, results in a colourful picture.

Therefore: Let the artwork express itself and be authentic!

The developement of the artist and the work is inseperably joined with the developement of man, the developement of mankind. The biography, embedded in a larger entity, is decisive for the creation. Therefore I perceive "trueful personal encounters" of every human being with other human individuals, with nature, philosophy, to be of special importance in order to let speak the "very ancient language of the soul" with its mysteries and secrets, aswell as sometimes to reflect on the sence of life.

As an Artist I work with clay (earth) and language (lyric poetry).

Two experiences have been of essential significance at the beginning of my creating with clay.

One of them was the task of modelling a human figure from a clod of clay with closed eyes, which was a special experiance after having danced the whole night before. From this is envolved the "plastic sculpturing" element in my work.

The other one should become a "thumb-bowl", I was supposed to break open with the thumbs, so that a compact ball-shaped piece of clay - in the size of hands - grows into a little bowl. All other larger plastics are like extensions of this "thumb-bowl". This "primary impulse" of formgiving - by modelling a compact ball-shaped form into a concave hollow - still moves and fascinates me even today. Therefore at the beginning I engaged for a long time with vessels of all shapes. Included was also the theme of "empty space", intensified up to "the notion of nothing"!

The building of a piece of clay happens almost exclusively by my bare hands as my only tools. Deliberately I use pure clay, sometimes ceramic glazes and pedestals of wood. But I dont combine mixed materials and don't use combinations of materials. For forming oft he hollow plastics (different from sculptures) I use a simple technic in which traces and small pieces of clay are put together and conjoind.

The combination of physical, mental and spiritual power, concentration, and reflecting in a kind of meditation upon life, accompanies the whole working process.

In my lyric poetry I experience the collecting of words and sentences, which apear like from "nowhere" and which I model on paper, but never screens, keybords or recorders....

I was born in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria in 1963. Already in my childhood, besides my school formation I was especially engaged with dance, music, language, activities of crafts and sports. In 1982 I moved to Vienna, where I found my adopted home. For a few semesters I attended the University of Life Sciences (Universität für Bodenkultur) Vienna, then the Vienna Art School (Wiener Kunstschule), and at last the Academie of Artistical and Industrial Design (Hochschule für künstlerische und industrielle Gestaltung), in Linz, Austria.

But atleast: Let the artwork express itself and be authentic!

Attention: Currently available: Mobile: + 43 676 364 26 03 /Mail: [email protected]

All other data in progress