MARIELLA LEHNER Under Construction

WTF by Improper Walls* presents a solo show by
Mariella Lehner: Under Construction

Under Construction showcases an attempt to appropriate the centuries-old technique of etching and use it to create unique sculptures rather than just reproductions of an already existing image. The focus lies on the process itself: works change shape multiple times, involving unusual materials like concrete or the irretrievable editing of printing plates, so that no exact reproduction is possible.

Heraclitus once said, "One cannot step into the same river twice." This obvious aphorism of change might sound out of nowhere when talking about etching, the printmaking technique that hasn’t changed since the 13th century. In fact, one can print endless copies of the same art prints and has to destroy the plate in order to ensure limited editions. However, for artist Mariella Lehner the process of etching is a form of change that inspires her work. Each drawing on a plate is a result of “stepping into the river” again and experiencing a different “flow”.

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Mariella Lehner is a visual artist living and working in Vienna. Coming from a graphic design background she now studies drawing at the academy of fine arts where she’s been mostly working 2-dimensional, on paper, interested in the topics of politics, feminism, and street culture.
In early 2018 she rediscovered her love for traditional printmaking, which led her to experiment with different materials, exploring unknown grounds.