{{Short description|Austrian painter (born 1962)}} {{Infobox artist | name = Franz Brandner | image = Franz Brandner.jpg | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|2|11|df=y}} | birth_place = Steyr, Austria | occupation = Painter | movement = Contemporary art | known_for = Cross-cultural painting | website = {{URL|https://artbrandner.com}} }}
'''Franz Brandner''' (born 11 February 1962) is an Austrian painter and contemporary artist based in Seoul, South Korea. His work focuses on figurative and impressionistic interpretations of landscapes, bridging European artistic traditions with Asian aesthetics.<ref name="JoongAng">{{cite news |last=Park |first=Sung-ha |date=2006-04-09 |title=Austrian firm adds art gallery to its musical management |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2006/04/09/features/Austrian-firm-adds-art-gallery-to-its-musical-management/2708321.html |access-date=2025-11-23 |work=Korea JoongAng Daily}}</ref> Media in both Austria and South Korea have reported on his role in cultural exchange between the two countries.<ref name="KBS">{{cite web |date=2008-01-19 |title=Franz Brandner: Ein österreichischer Maler in Korea (Franz Brandner: An Austrian Painter in Korea) |url=https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/contents_view.htm?lang=g&menu_cate=people&id=&board_seq=153053 |access-date=2025-11-23 |publisher=KBS World |language=de}}</ref>
== Biography == Brandner was born in Steyr, Upper Austria. He graduated from art college in 1980 and began his professional career, including establishing a studio in Innsbruck, in 1982. Before relocating to Asia in the early 2000s, Brandner established his presence in the Austrian art scene. In February 2003, the Government of Lower Austria presented his solo exhibition Impressionen der Wirklichkeit (Impressions of Reality) at the Lower Austrian State Library in Sankt Pölten.<ref name="NOE_Gov">{{cite web |date=2003-02-07 |title=Eröffnung der Ausstellung "Impressionen der Wirklichkeit" |url=https://www.noe.gv.at/noe/37028_7-Februar-2003-Impressionen-der-Wirklichkeit.html |access-date=2025-11-23 |publisher=State Government of Lower Austria |language=de}}</ref>
== Career in South Korea == Brandner moved to Seoul in 2002.<ref name="JoongAng" /> In 2006, he served as the director of the newly opened "Vienna Art Gallery" in Seoul, an initiative noted for introducing Austrian contemporary art to Korean audiences.<ref name="JoongAng" />
=== Exhibitions ===
* 2023: ''Dialogue with Nature'' and ''Playground Stories'', Special Exhibition for the 50th Anniversary of the Children's Grand Park, Seoul. The exhibition was supported by the city's cultural department.<ref name="Segye">{{cite news |last=Yoo |first=Cheon |date=2023-07-14 |title=프란츠 브란드너, '대자연과의 교감' 50주년 기념 특별 전시회 |url=https://www.segye.com/newsView/20230714518272 |access-date=2025-11-23 |work=Segye Ilbo |language=ko}}</ref><ref name="AustrianEmbassy2023">{{cite web |date=2023 |title=Ausstellung Franz Brandner (Exhibition Franz Brandner) |url=https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-seoul/aktuelles/veranstaltungen/detail/seite?tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=36195&cHash=bec99d8e208dc2a1cadf36ad3e0cc439 |access-date=2025-11-23 |publisher=Austrian Embassy Seoul (BMEIA) |language=de}}</ref> * 2018: ''Bukchon Hanok Village'', Edaily Art Gallery, Seoul.<ref name="Edaily2018">{{cite news |date=2018-04-12 |title=Blue eyes, falling in love with Hanok... Franz Brandner 'Bukchon Hanok Village' |url=https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01374566619227008&mediaCode=M |access-date=2025-11-23 |work=edaily News |language=ko }}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> * 2003: ''Impressionen der Wirklichkeit'', Landhausgalerie Ausstellungsbrücke, Sankt Pölten, Austria. Hosted by the Government of Lower Austria.<ref name="NOE_Gov" />
== Artistic style == Brandner's style is generally described as figurative with strong impressionistic influences, using visible brushstrokes and thin layering of oil paints.<ref name="Dorf">{{cite news |date=2014-04-14 |title=Franz Brandner: Ein stiller Dialog mit der Natur |url=https://dorfzeitung.com/ein-stiller-dialog-mit-der-natur/ |access-date=2025-11-23 |work=Dorfzeitung |language=de}}</ref> The recurring theme in his Korean period is the "Dialogue with Nature," focusing on interpreting Korean motifs such as pine trees and traditional architecture through a European artistic lens.<ref name="KulturPort">{{cite news |date=2024-05-15 |title=Franz Brandner – "Dialog mit der Natur" |url=https://www.kultur-port.de/live/78-events/19399-franz-brandner-dialog-mit-der-natur.html |access-date=2025-11-23 |work=Kultur-Port.de |language=de}}</ref>
== References ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Brandner, Franz}} Category:1962 births Category:Austrian painters Category:Contemporary painters Category:People from Steyr Contemporary Artists Category:Living people