Based in Vienna, Michael Wegerer is as an independent artist with a background in printmaking. In 2016, he founded the screen printing Atelier Michael Wegerer. The studio acts as an artist’s studio for his independent projects, as well as a screen printing workshop, Quint Screen Print, for commissioned work, internships and printmaking assistance.
“My artistic practice has developed from my longstanding exploration of contemporary printmaking and its boundaries,” says Michael. He studied classical printmaking at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, and also completed a Masters in Printmaking at the Royal College of Art in London. Further research travels and residencies allowed him to develop his experimental techniques in printmaking. In 2018 he was also awarded a grant to research printmaking techniques on glass, and as part of this visited artists in the Glass and Ceramics Department at the National Glass Centre and Sunderland University in the UK. It is through these experiences, journeys, and training, that Michael has equipped the screen printing studio in Vienna. Collaborations with national and international institutions and projects continue to be integral to his studio work.
Through Atelier Michael Wegerer, Michael carries out a diverse range of independent projects which are currently predominantly focused on the further development of 3-dimensional graphic projects. Michael states; “In my current artistic work, I am interested in the combination of complex graphic elements and the concept of sculpture itself. But also how these works can be read in the contemporary context.” This practice explores the combination of strong geometric structures with intuitive emotional gestures of gestural painting where colour, form, and rhythm meet. This has manifested as a series of folded screen prints on paper, resulting in objects with a strong geometric character with an emphasis on the rhythm and form in the folding, as well as gestures and colours in the printing processes. Gold leaf screen printing techniques and pigment prints have also been combined with wall painting to create modern spatial installations, Folded Figures. “Emotional expression with strict forms intertwined, is perhaps an expression of the current global pandemic that has lasted so long, where discipline is demanded of people and hidden emotions lie in their innermost being,” says the printmaker.
Graphic techniques are always the starting point for his artistic works, whereby the technique and the content-related concepts are intertwined, thus content-related considerations are important in the selection of the printing techniques. His observations while travelling, the interaction with different cultures and people, and his intuitive and broad knowledge of printmaking techniques are the strong impulse for his artistic work. Collaboration is also key for Michael; “I also find it enriching to work closely with artists in the screen printing studio to try out new things that I hadn’t thought of before. Cooperations in the studio and outside have always been a driving force for new inspirations.”
As part of the atelier’s practice, Michael also recently completed a book project in cooperation with scientists from the field of architecture. As part of this project, graphic works were developed based on scientific content, and a separate exhibition installation was built for the book. Michael created a series of screen printed stencil collages and raster prints in which light, colour, space, and building features were processed in a diagrammatic way.
The studio is currently working intensively on presentation for the art fair Parallel Vienna, which will include a spatial installation with new 3-dimensional screen prints, folded plaster sculptures, and a wall painting.
www.michaelwegerer.net
@atelier_michael_wegerer
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