Interview
Harald Brandl
Harald Brandl, born on December 26, 1960, is the child of a family of civil servants with roots in the working class, where his grandfather worked as a miner. As a child, his love for nature, environment, and animals was evident, and he displayed a talent for designing with different materials and colors. However, at the request of his parents, he decided to become a civil servant despite his passion for artistic expression. Harald’s civil service career came to a sudden end due to an illness. This led him back to his love for nature and expression in art. His rural surroundings, long-standing view of global events, and the need for creative expression have influenced the variety of ideas and design elements in his works, which are executed using different techniques. Harald's work is a testament to his love for nature and artistic expression and his ability to harness his passion to produce works of art that are both imaginative and thought-provoking.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“Even as a child, I wanted to create and work artistically, but at the request of my parents I decided to become a civil servant. After this ended due to illness, I found my way back to artistic creation. My background has always been nature and the impact of humans on it.”
What inspires you?
“I am inspired by nature, its beauty and diversity but also its harshness. Nature can be beautiful, soft, melodic, colorful. But in the blink of an eye it can also become hard and demanding and often unforgiving. This interplay, especially in connection with the animal world and people, has a fascinating and astonishing effect on my work.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My topics are diverse and different. I often follow the moods and events. With my works I also try to portray the influence of people on the environment and on each other. I think I bring messages to people, but I want to give as much freedom as possible for the viewer’s own interpretations in my works.”
How would you describe your work?
“Expressive, open and free for interpretation but also awakening in some areas.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Othmar Krenn, a late Austrian artist.”
“I strive to be mindful of the impact I have on the environment and the welfare of animals. Additionally, I believe in fostering peaceful relationships with people from all walks of life. It's important to lend a helping hand to those who cannot help themselves.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process begins with an idea and then with its implementation. I then search and find suitable materials, colors and techniques. This often takes a long time. In many cases, it is also a search for a special expression.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“The role of an artist in my eyes is to change the world for the better with his creative elements. An artist has the opportunities and abilities to give groundbreaking signals to people, organizations and governments with his works, as long as the artist is not just concerned about the money. You should also take advantage of these opportunities.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“My works have been and are currently exhibited in Vienna. My most important mention is the contribution to the restoration of the Bärenschützklamm, a natural jewel in Styria. I am proud to point out that one of my works, Crazy Colors, will be accepted for this project after submission and auctioned for a good cause.”
Website: www.artmajeur.com/harald-brandl
Instagram: @brandlha
