Only a piece of paper and a pencil is needed – yet it offers so many possibilities. And even if it is limited by the edge of the paper and its form, the opportunities to express ideas and create worlds seem to be endless.
In his latest body of work for Platform, Stefan Zsaitsits continues to explore the most important medium in his process: drawing.
The medium allows Zsaitsits to follow traces of the unconscious, impressions of daily life or almost forgotten memories, noting that “drawing is the medium that comes closest to human thought”. The solitary figures within his work occupy surreal and dreamlike worlds, reflecting the interior workings of the mind. Rationality and irrationality, order and chaos, real and surreal exist in tandem in the artist’s mind and on the page. Ultimately, the works are depictions of the absurdity and irrationality of life.
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For the last couple of years drawing was, and still is, the most important medium in my artistic process. It is the simplicity in its technique and materials I find fascinating.
“If something like the unspeakable exits, inner areas or moments in life, where words can no longer be found and only images seem to be able to express it, I want my works to be located there. Areas between opposites such as reason and absurdity, rest and haste, sleep and wakefulness. At the borders of these areas I wish to create my pictures. Pictures that often raise more questions than they can give answers to. Pictures about the vital and the profane questions. From confused thoughts to concrete ideas. Rationality and irrationality, order and chaos, real and surreal as unity in my head and in my drawings. But overall these are pictures about absurdity as the state and law of life.”
Works
Stefan Zsaitsits
Butterfly, Dice and Bones
2021
Stefan Zsaitsits
Achillea
2021
Stefan Zsaitsits
Cut
2021
Stefan Zsaitsits
Housefly
2021
Stefan Zsaitsits
Falling
2021
Stefan Zsaitsits
Morphing
2021
Stefan Zsaitsits
Stars
2021
Drawing is the best medium and possibility for me to follow trains of thought, traces of the unconscious, impressions of daily life or almost-forgotten memories. With the help of the pencil I attempt to hold on to them and in a way materialise them.
About the Artist
Austrian artist Stefan Zsaitsits (b. 1981) lives and works near Vienna.
After graduating from the University of Applied Arts Vienna in 2006, he received several awards, including the Art Austria Award 2014. His works can be found in national and international private and museum collections such as the collections of the Albertina Vienna, the collection of the City of Vienna as well as in various Austrian State Collections.
Chosen Charity
“We’re thrilled that Unit London and Stefan Zsaitsits have chosen to donate to Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) through this exhibition. MSF are entirely funded through donations from individual supporters, so we’re very grateful that Stefan has chosen to support MSF through his latest body of work, and to Unit London for providing an innovative and accessible platform for artists to make a difference.”
– Rose Buck, Partnerships Manager