Konstanze Stoiber

born 1999 in Vienna, Austria

lives and works in Vienna, Austria

Konstanze Stoiber completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in fashion design and painting at Parsons School of Design, New York City and in Paris. She is currently enrolled in the Artistic Research Programme (PhD) at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna.

Stoiber explores the metaphysical foundations of human existence as predetermined by systemic circumstances. These circumstances include shifting structures of authority and prerogatives of interpretation, or the transformation of objects and their value over time. In this regard, Stoiber’s interest lies in social and cultural foundations of Christianity in relation to modernity.

Konstanze Stoiber considers how social and identity-shaping rituals have changed in light of secularisation. Stoiber references the way religious artefacts, landscapes and cultural sites subliminally or consciously shape contemporary experiences. Her work is characterised by a mindful handling of found objects, which she refers to as ’buried’. In an attempt to re-examine the cultural value of discarded or disregarded objects Stoiber takes a keen interest in their subtle history. Her work is characterised by a site and space-specific approach. Stoiber broadens her exploration of architectural space to include socio-cultural and hierarchical settings, as is the case with her exhibition at Galerie nächst St. Stephan at Domgasse 6, which took Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the history of its colossal bell Pummerin as its point of reference.

’An attempt to master the art of arrangement’ is how Stoiber describes her approach to the spatial harmonisation of objects and artworks. They reflect her meticulous and judicious sense of placement in which negative space, the hidden or opaque is highly considered. In miniaturised allegory, as if from birds-eye-view, she seeks to encourage novel thoughts. Through paintings, textile works, found objects and installations, she shares a personal understanding of the value of objects and their comparative cultural and religious history.

Her most recent solo exhibitions include: September. Reminiscences of a Journey to the Holy Land, Institute of Biblical Studies, Faculty of Catholic Theology, University of Vienna, Vienna (2023) and She Only Likes Violence, Galerie D., Romainville, France (2022). Her first solo exhibition at Galerie nächst St. Stephan (Domgasse 6) was entitled There Have to be Bells (2024).