Alfred Hrdlicka

Alfred Hrdlicka was an Austrian artist known for his often-controversial renderings of religion and politics. The sculptor, painter, and draftsman's provocative drawing Last Supper (1984), created in tribute to Pier Paolo Pasolini, outraged audiences with its depiction of Jesus Christ and his disciples engaged in sexually explicit acts. "All art comes from flesh," the defiant artist declared. Many of his artworks are figurative, representing subjects suffering or in pain as a means to promote anti-Fascism, as Hrdlicka believed that art should engage in the human condition. Born on February 27, 1928 in Vienna, Austria, Hrdlicka trained as a dental technician before pursuing painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in his hometown. His first exhibition was held at the Zedlitzhalle in 1960, followed by his notable inclusion in the Venice Biennale four years later. The artist died on December 5, 2009 in Vienna, Austria. Listings wanted.