Sandra Lafenthaler: Nymphaea. Botanical Ink Drawings

Sandra Lafenthaler: Nymphaea

Botanical Ink Drawings

SA 07.03. to SO 22.03. in the seminar room of the Botanical Garden

Opening:

FR 08.05., 4:00 PM (Free admission)

Sandra Lafenthaler has chosen biodiversity as the theme of her exhibition "Nymphaea."

To artistically implement this, she relies on the medium of drawing. With ink, she captures what she observes in the Botanical Garden, including the majestic water lily to which she dedicates the title. The interplay between fragile lines and rich black areas is intended to highlight the different forms.

The artist on the background of her thematic choice:

"The Botanical Garden as a refuge. The small oasis – in a city where there is more and more concrete.

Coming from the Bauernbergpark, it becomes increasingly quiet, and the noise of engines is only faintly heard. When the Botanical Garden comes into view and the gate is passed, one leaves the city and enters another world. This world is rich in native flora, but also features botanical curiosities from around the globe.

In times when trees and meadows must give way to concrete, what is nurtured here is what is most important for the survival of humanity. Biodiversity is the motto here, where in other places only monoculture is tolerated.

Right in the middle of the city."

About the artist:

The trained florist studied painting for two years at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna before moving to a house in the Mölltal region of Carinthia as a self-sufficient and freelance artist. In 2010, she relocated to Ried im Innkreis and studied philosophy for three years at the University of Salzburg. Since 2013, she has lived in Linz/Donau, where she has been working as a freelance artist again since 2019. Her workplace is in the Ateliergemeinschaft Schlot. She is a member of the artists' association and the Innviertel Artists' Guild.

Her artistic work encompasses painting and drawings, which she sometimes creates ambidextrously, as well as works that arise in response to the current situation and space. She references themes that surround her and reflects on the immediate and broader environment that influences her. Her versatility is expressed in series where she experiments with various techniques.

Sandra Lafenthaler, born 16.06.1980, lives and works in Linz

Currently interim managing director at the cultural association Schlot, Linz

2023 – 2024 University course in life drawing at the Art University Linz

2019 – ongoing Freelance artist, Linz

2014 – 2018 Employment at the Magistrate of Linz (Family Center), various further training in visual arts

2010 – 2013 Philosophy studies at the University of Salzburg

2007 – 2009 Atelier house and gallery in Mölltal, Carinthia

2004 – 2006 Studied painting at the University of Applied Arts (Prof. Wolfgang Herzig, Prof. Johanna Kandl)

2002 – 2004 Various travels and studies

1998 – 2002 Evening school at HAK with Matura, Vienna

1995 – 1998 Florist apprenticeship, Bad Gastein

Member of the Innviertel Artists' Guild and the IG Bildende Kunst.

Works in public and private collections.

Her artistic activity extends over painting and drawings, which she sometimes creates ambidextrously, as well as works that arise in response to the current situation and space. She references themes that surround her and reflects on the immediate and broader environment that influences her. Her versatility is expressed in series where she experiments with various techniques.

Residencies

06/2025 Salzamt Linz, Guest studio of the State of Upper Austria
09/2024 Cesky Krumlov, Guest studio of the State of Upper Austria
05/2023 Schloss Weinberg, Kefermarkt, Guest studio of the State of Upper Austria
12/2022 Villa Rabl, Bad Hall, Guest studio of the State of Upper Austria