The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao presents a retrospective exhibition by Martha Jungwirth, sponsored by Occident featuring nearly seventy pieces that encompass six decades of work. Ranging from 1976 to 2023, the works in the show include a substantial selection of watercolors and oil paintings as well as three artist books spanning nearly 50 years of remarkable production. Jungwirth’s paintings and watercolors are informed by close observation of the human form, animals, the history of art, and extensive travel around the world. The resulting artworks evoke a sense of spontaneity through their erratic forms and intense colors. Martha Jungwirth’s artwork will be shown in Spain for the first time since 1966, when she was awarded the Joan Miró Prize.
Watch the artist introduce the exhibition
Martha Jungwirth stands as a seminal figure in the Austrian art scene. Rooted in the cultural and artistic milieu of postwar Vienna, she studied art at the Universität für angewandte Kunst (University of Applied Arts), Vienna, from 1956 to 1963. Despite the shifting trends within painting, Jungwirth consistently dedicated herself to developing a unique abstract style that draws on myriad influences from her life. Her early work demonstrates a distinct approach for the visceral and the subjective characterised by a fusion of Abstract Expressionism and a raw, emotive quality, setting the stage for the development of her unique aesthetic. Over the years, Jungwirth has exhibited a remarkable ability to evolve and adapt her artistic language. Her subject matter is as diverse as her own interests, ranging from introspective self-portraits to landscapes and works inspired by current events, such as COVID-19 or the Australian bushfires Jungwirth's paintings and drawings masterfully navigate the delicate boundary between realism and abstraction. Her artworks don't aim to depict a straightforward narrative or visual representation, rather they are defined by their explosive, gestural strokes and vibrant hues that serve as poignant expressions. Through colors that carry emotional weight and gestural forms that hint at their origins, Jungwirth’s paintings defy easy categorization. Her work captures not just fleeting moments or mere images, but encapsulates profound experiences, emotions, and memories, and through her art, Jungwirth imparts an insightful understanding of the boundless intricacies of reality, offering viewers a glimpse into the depths of human perception and consciousness.
