“Hannah Stippl mischievously plays with the creative possibilities already coded by art history. The personal synthesis she has achieved through her consistent work makes her one of the most interesting and vital representatives of new painting in Austria.”
Imagine standing in front of a painting that feels alive, almost breathing. This is the world of my art, transforming landscapes into mesmeric ecosystems.
My art is not just a visual experience—it’s a philosophical exploration. Using techniques like pattern-rolling and layering, I create landscapes that blur the line between ornament and nature, asking: How do we define beauty in a world of chaos?
Drawing on my deep knowledge of landscape theory, I critique the dualistic, patriarchal worldview that separates humanity from nature. Instead, my art celebrates their interdependence. Each piece invites you to pause, reflect and see the natural world not as a distant entity, but as part of our shared history.
Exploring structures such as thickets, dams and overgrown slopes, each project consists of a series of paintings on paper and canvas. These works evolve slowly, layer by layer, creating atmospheres that are both familiar and mysterious. I embrace the random, the accidental and the imperfect - leaving visible stains, graffiti-like fragments and stray lines as part of my process. Words and patterns repeat like magical incantations. My work combines research in areas such as mythology, feminism and ecology with individuality, emotion and beauty. To make art is to connect deeply with the natural world. My paintings are like living creatures, slowly evolving and revealing themselves over time. My installations incorporate everything from textiles to found objects and even live plants, creating a dialogue between art, ecology and myth.
Born in Vienna, I studied philosophy, art history, and painting at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, where I earned my doctorate in landscape theory in 2011. My dissertation, which examines the landscape-theoretical watercolours of Lucius Burckhardt, was the first comprehensive study of its kind. From 2005 to 2017, I taught at the University of Applied Arts Vienna in the Department of Landscape Design/Art. My research into the cultural, historical, and ecological dimensions of plants, gardens, and landscapes continues to deeply influence my artistic practice.
In addition to my art, I have curated numerous exhibitions and founded the independent exhibition space puuul in Vienna. I divide my time between Vienna, my studio in Elsbach, Lower Austria, and Aguilas, Spain.