Franz West

Franz West was part of a generation of artists strongly influenced by Viennese Actionism and the performance art movements of the 1960s and 1970s.

His early practice focused on painting and collage, while he later became internationally recognized for his sculptures and installations, which are characterized by strong performative and interactive qualities. In 1974, he created his Paßstücke (Adaptives): small sculptures made of papier-mâché that invite viewers to hold, wear, and physically interact with them.

During the 1980s, West expanded his practice by creating large-scale sculptures using more durable materials such as polyester and aluminium. His anthropomorphic yet abstract forms suggest playful, flexible structures that encourage physical and psychological engagement.

Influenced by Jacques Lacan’s psychoanalytic theories and Ludwig Wittgenstein’s philosophy, West explored the relationship between art and everyday life, challenging traditional modes of viewing and experiencing artworks.

His works have been featured in numerous international exhibitions worldwide. In 2011, he was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 54th Venice Biennale. Major retrospectives of his work were held at the Centre Pompidou in Paris in 2018 and Tate Modern in London in 2019.