After criticism of pictures

Open letter: “Someone has shat in your brains…”

The artist Gottfried Helnwein doesn't hold back with strong words against his critics

(Bild: Reinhard Holl)

"I can't help but get the impression that someone has shat in both of your brains" - artist Gottfried Helnwein uses very clear and strong words in an open letter after receiving harsh criticism from more than just the expected quarters for his controversial paintings in Gmunden.

A quote from what Helnwein calls a "traditionally left-wing newspaper" is the last straw for the controversial artist: "The (public) wearing of such a uniform would, as is well known, result in charges of re-activation. But even the simple display, representation or distribution of insignia, uniforms or uniform parts of a banned organization is prohibited by law. "What is Helnwein trying to tell us with the SS uniform? Is he trivializing the symbolism of a regime of mass murderers?" "Of course, what else" - said the artist and came up with the above-quoted, somewhat heavier choice of words.

Helnwein emphasizes that "no artist after 1945 has dealt with the Holocaust and the unfortunate legacy of the 'Thousand Year Reich' as critically, radically and tirelessly as I have. For 50 years, my work has been a single appeal against violence, especially against violence against children and against forgetting."

"First-class shitstorm"
He recalls the radical protests against his early works and the fact that there have been no attacks worth mentioning for 20 years, his exhibitions have brought in record numbers of visitors and now the municipality of Gmunden has asked him to make an artistic contribution: "I agreed and installed three large-format pictures on Gmunden's town hall and the municipal theater. Entitled 'Memory', 'The Disasters of War' and 'The Smile'
And lo and behold, my simple installation led to self-proclaimed saviors of the West crawling out of every hole and creating a first-class shitstorm."

Incidentally, the pictures are here to stay, the story of the uproar surrounding the three works is one chapter richer and the "Capital of Culture" remains a talking point.