Anna Rettl: Herzkrug – Exhibition at Klagenfurt City Gallery

Klagenfurt, Austria – Anna Rettl’s latest exhibition, Herzkrug, now open at the Living Studio of the Stadtgalerie Klagenfurt, is a compelling exploration of image consumption and the inherent imperfections within the artistic process. The show, which runs until April 12, 2026, presents a new series of large-format paintings born from Rettl’s six-month residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, a program alternating between the city of Klagenfurt and the province of Carinthia.

Rettl, born in 1992 in Villach, Austria, describes Herzkrug as originating from a “mistake.” She initially believed she had encountered the term in the work of Austrian author Christine Lavant. This misattribution, rather than being corrected, became central to the exhibition’s concept. As Rettl explains, “The mistake remains not only as a title, but also as a model for the works.”

The artist’s approach embraces the inherent fallibility of painting as a medium. “Painting is an old and slow medium and precisely for that reason pliable,” Rettl states. “It can bear false decisions, awkward transitions and contradictory levels without falling apart.” This willingness to accept imperfection is a departure from her recent work, which was more rigidly based on the compositions of other artists.

While acknowledging continued influence from other artists – citing Kupka, Kertész, Gedő, and Egger-Lienz as key references – Rettl’s new series also incorporates influences from fashion, personal photographs, and online culture. However, these paintings aren’t intended as direct representations. Instead, they are presented as the results of collaboration, apparatus, and misunderstanding. “They do not show the world, but the way it is experienced today through images,” Rettl explains. The resulting works are less about depicting reality and more about conveying the affect in the form of borrowed intensities.

The presentation of the artwork itself is unconventional. Rather than being hung on the walls, the large-scale paintings are suspended from the ceiling within the Living Studio, creating an immersive and dynamic viewing experience. This choice further emphasizes the exhibition’s exploration of perception and the way images are encountered in contemporary life.

Rettl’s artistic journey has been marked by a rigorous academic background. She studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (from 2011 to 2015), under the tutelage of Professors Daniel Richter and Francis Ruyter, and subsequently at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen (Professor Ferdinand Ahm Krag). In 2023, she received a grant from the Danish Art Foundation, highlighting her growing recognition within the international art community.

Beyond her individual practice, Rettl is also a member of the collective Jennifee-See Alternate, through which she organizes exhibitions. This collaborative spirit reflects her broader engagement with the art world and her commitment to fostering dialogue and exchange.

The exhibition opened on February 24, 2026, and is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Admission is free, making Herzkrug accessible to a wide audience. The Stadtgalerie Klagenfurt’s Living Studio provides an intimate setting for viewers to engage with Rettl’s thought-provoking work, which challenges conventional notions of representation and invites contemplation on the pervasive influence of images in the modern world.

Herzkrug ultimately remains a functional label, according to Rettl, despite its flawed origin. The exhibition isn’t about finding definitive answers, but rather about embracing the ambiguity and imperfections that are inherent in both the artistic process and the way we perceive the world around us.