“I have no choice, I have to paint.” (Stefan Piëch)

 

With 36 Years of Painting, Viennese artist Stefan Piëch chronicles over three decades of artistic pursuit in one comprehensive catalogue. This book offers a rare window into the artist’s studio. Having consciously kept his work largely outside the public art market, Piëch honed his craft uninterrupted and free from the short-term expectations and cycles of the art world.

Opening his art to a more public forum with this book, 36 Years of Painting constitutes a new chapter in Piëch’s artistic career. What distinguishes Piëch from other artists working in abstraction is his sustained focus on formal elements, materials, and artistic process rather than on existential inquiry.

Based in Vienna, Piëch’s practice evolved within a dense intellectual and educational environment rather than a commercial one. In this next phase of his creative journey, he consolidates his creative energies into a singular and resolute artistic voice under S.MAX aka Vienna. This shift marks a significant evolution in his practice, as he deepens his sustained engagement with the language of abstraction.

Across 360 pages, this catalog presents the artist’s complete body of work from 1988 to July 2024, captured in over 700 illustrations to form a timeless, living catalogue raisonné.

A personal introduction by John Silvis, as well as texts by Herb Holzinger, Jennifer R. Gross, Patricia Mayr-Melnhof-Saurau, Derek Pigrum, and Caroline Wohlgemuth, add enriching perspectives to Piëch’s unique artistic position.