(born Grodnau in 1925) “Normale Malerei with Terese”, titled, signed, dated muehl 24.10.85, oil on canvas, 80 x 100 cm, on stretcher, (K)

Provenance:
Private Property, Austria

Otto Muehl  

Paintings Self-portraits
Normale Malerei

The strongest group of works by the Viennese Actionist and commune – founder Otto Muehl are his self-portraits. His painterly oeuvre is characterised by surprising changes in style and an ironic reworking of art history. Sexual provocation, political agitation, paradisiacal utopia and “overcoming the madness of the nuclear family” are the popular themes.

In these self-portraits he spreads sarcasm and ridicule over his own “torn problem of existence” with ruthless directness. Since the "Zock Manifesto" (1967 to 1970) in which he includes himself amongst the farcical prominence of the 20th century, Muehl has been involved in the “destruction of the material human” and takes pleasure in making fun of his multifaceted character: dazzled narcissist, cryptic fool, apocalyptic madmen and megalomaniac guru.

In “Normale Malerei” (normal painting) executed in 1985 he uses the canvas to depict the situation of the bored commune superstar. During this phase Muehl had risen to become the admired idol of the prospering collective and in this painting produces a Hollywood scene: a tired Humphrey Bogart, his John Wayne-type paw thrown in a proprietary manner over the shoulder of the delighted worshipper. The eye violet and deranged, the derisive, ironic gaze sweeping up with longing, waiting for a redemptive instance.

As in the “12 actions”, the “van Gogh series” and the “household accidents”, his paintings are way ahead of his time.

Excerpt from: Theo Altenberg, MUEHL MALEREI, 2005

Provenance:
Private Property, Austria

Otto Muehl Normale

Malerei Self-portraits

The strongest group of works by the Viennese Actionist and commune – founder Otto Muehl are his self-portraits. His painterly oeuvr