Hannes Schauer is an artist known for his paintings that exude a sense of
continual flow, teeming with the meditative energy of his expressive brushwork
and vibrant colours. His abstract artworks often incorporate enigmatic forms
that are unfamiliar to us. These forms, which he refers to as ghosts,
may have originated from his previous period of figurative painting, where he
depicted monstrous and untamed creatures with a blend of human and animal
characteristics. However, in his current works, these figures appear to have
melted and dissolved into a beautiful imaginary nature, taking on a kind of
camouflage. One might wonder if Schauer is attempting to confront and
overcome these haunting ghosts that persistently follow him. The origins of
these creatures in his mind can be traced back to the influences and experiences
found in Schauer’s biography.
Throughout his life, Schauer has demonstrated a deep interest in individuals on
the fringes of society, as well as those who are criminals or mentally ill. He has
conducted painting workshops for neurodivergent children and adolescents in
schools, youth centres, and therapeutic facilities. Additionally, as a yoga teacher,
he has worked with incarcerated individuals in Austrian prisons. It is plausible
that his involvement with individuals facing diverse health limitations or who
have been convicted may provide insights into the themes depicted in Schauer’s
paintings, both in the past and the present. The camouflage effect portrayed in
his artworks represents another aspect of Schauer’s personal experiences. He
laments, “Growing up in a Catholic society where appearance seemed more
important than what is truly going on inside had quite a severe effect on me.”
By acknowledging this sentiment, he has delved into the realm of peculiarity
and otherness, raising profound questions about our humanity, the boundaries of
our animal instincts, and the dichotomy between good and evil, right and
wrong.
