In the Air and in the Water Drawing

Friedrich Zettl is an Austrian artist who creates paintings, graphic art and calligraphy that blend Western and Eastern aesthetics. He was born in 1954 and started his artistic journey with Western painting in the early 1970s. He developed a passion for Chinese culture and art and studied sinology and Chinese painting at the Academy in Beijing from 1978 to 1985. He wrote his dissertation on an aspect of Chinese painting and deepened his knowledge and practice of this art form. Zettl had exhibited his works in Western style, especially expressionist oil paintings, in Europe before. However, after learning about traditional Chinese painting, he changed his approach and incorporated Asian thinking into his work. His brushwork and composition are inspired by the technique and philosophy of Chinese calligraphy. Zettl works mainly on paper and uses fine inks and ink. He has invented his own techniques that combine Western media and Asian concepts in original ways. His influences include Arnulf Rainer, Huang Binhong, Oskar Kokoschka and Max Ernst. Zettl has shown his works in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Europe and Asia. He has also published or illustrated several books on Chinese art published by oe.g.c.f and Bacopa Verlag. Friedrich Zettl is a member of the Austrian-Chinese Friendship Association (ÖGCF), which organizes various events and exhibitions about China in Austria. He has given several lectures and presentations about Chinese art, especially seal cutting, at the ÖGCF and the Confucius Institute of the University of Vienna. He lives and works in Vienna. Friedrich Zettl is a versatile and innovative artist who builds a bridge between the Western and Eastern worlds. He is always looking for new inspirations and challenges.