Christine Koenig Galerie

Christine König Galerie was founded in 1989. International in scope, the gallery is defined by an artist-centric perspective that platforms artists whose work responds to the complexities of contemporary society and culture.

Ever since its founding the gallery has been the first to present a number of internationally established artists and their current works in Austria, such as Adel ABDESSEMED, AI WEIWEI, Pierre BISMUTH, Ricardo BREY, Jimmie DURHAM, David GOLDBLATT, Leon GOLUB, David HAMMONS, Al HANSEN, Rebecca HORN, Cameron JAMIE, Pierre KLOSSOWSKI, Jannis KOUNELLIS, Vicken PARSONS, Gerhard RÜHM, Ann-Sofi SIDÉN, Nancy SPERO, Margherita SPILUTTINI, Juergen TELLER, Stanley WHITNEY, Sislej XHAFA.

Along with them a decidedly younger generation of artists has been introduced to the public: Ovidiu ANTON, Anetta Mona CHIŞA & Lucia TKÁČOVÁ, Per DYBVIG, Barbara EICHHORN, G.R.A.M., Micha PAYER + Martin GABRIEL, Dan and Lia PERJOVSCHI, Valentin RUHRY, Anne SCHNEIDER, Toni SCHMALE, Natalia ZAŁUSKA.

For most of the exhibitions works and projects are created specifically with the premises of the gallery in mind. In this way a frame of reference develops over time that encourages to rethink and redefine the character of the gallery in cooperation with each individual artist in view of a society that is getting ever more complex and ever more on the move, and to search for new context.

In the last two decades art has become a dominant field of action and discourse. Visual arts can help develop an understanding for socio-political and cultural processes of change – as has become so clear in the discussions triggered by the case of Ai Weiwei. In a highly stimulating and productive climate, galleries have assumed the role of discursive intermediaries, making a preliminary selection and using their intellectual resources in a responsible way to back and promote certain positions and artists vis-à-vis collectors.

Until 2006 weekly LunchLectures on Saturdays at noon were presenting artists, curators, art dealers, architects, collectors, philosophers, who talked about their ideas and visions. This tradition is being carried on since 2008 with the CONVERSATION series, where artists are being interviewed by curators, philosophers etc. This CONVERSATION series takes place in irregular intervals.

ARTFAIRS: ARCOmadrid, ART COLOGNE, Viennafair Wien, Art Basel, Art Brussels, art forum berlin, Cosmoscow, VIP Art Fair.