SIMACEK
ART AWARD
WINNERS 2023
Chiara Bals
Nanna Kaiser
Lu Cheng
Clemens Stöttinger
JURY
Veronika Dirnhofer, Anna Jermolaewa, Hans Schabus, Peter Kogler, Ursula Simacek, Raimund Deininger
AWARD-CEREMONY
Thursday, Oktober 5, 2023 - MAK - Museum für Applied Arts Vienna
NANNA
KAISER
At present, I understand my artistic practice as a translation of complex lines of thought into a visual language - one that does not rely solely on individual ideas. Rather, I seek to move beyond the linear narratives of patriarchy, exploring approaches that allow for ambiguity while remaining accessible and anti-elitist.
The engagement with, in part, randomly found materials plays a decisive role in the realisation of my work and significantly shapes its visual appearance. Through the use of “found objects,” I initiate playful investigations that remain in constant dialogue with the external world.
My site-specific projects aim to question prevailing patriarchal structures through subtle and community-oriented gestures, rather than reproducing or reinforcing them. To this end, I work across media such as painting, sewing, photography, silkscreen, text, installation, and the combination of these elements.
- Nanna Kaiser (*1991, Friesach, Austria)
nominated by Veronika Dirnhofer
Image courtesy © Nanna Kaiser
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LU
CHENG
In her work, Lu Cheng (*1996, China) explores various forms of growth in biomorphic structures. Through an intensive engagement with different materials, she creates sculptural and installative objects. These are not representations of natural organisms, but rather pseudo-natural forms that emerge through a prolonged, process-based approach, in which the artist develops a relationship with both the object and its environment.
Part of her work is created through the knotting or crocheting of organic forms (soft sculptures). By playfully testing the material, she develops a range of forms that, in works such as spiked carpet-like pieces and soft organic structures, create a deliberate sense of contradiction within the material itself.
nominated by Peter Kogler
Image courtesy © Lu Cheng
CLEMENS
STÖTTINGER
Clemens Stöttinger lives and works in Linz. His performances and interventions revolve around seemingly banal, everyday situations, traditions, as well as misunderstandings and human shortcomings. Irony plays an important role in his work. At the same time, his practice is not cynical, but rather aims to encourage a sense of improvisation and navigating through complexity.
nominated by Anna Jermolaewa
Image courtesy © Clemens Stöttinger
CHIARA
BALS
Chiara Bals (*1996), born and raised in the Bregenzerwald, lives and works in Vienna. The notion of the trace is a central element in her work - it emerges through chance, appearing incidental and unintentional, yet leaving a lasting impression.
Her sculptures and wall-based works are characterized by a sense of calm and order. They unfold in close proximity to the viewer, revealing poetic and playful narratives, often accompanied by her texts and titles.
nominated by Hans Schabus
Image courtesy © Chiara Bals
LIMITED EDITIONS
All award winners develop an exclusive graphic edition for the SIMACEK GROUP as part of the award. The works are produced in a format of 50 × 65 cm, in an edition of 20 + 5 artist’s proofs, and are realised as silkscreen or digital prints.
WINNER EDITIONS
WINNER EDITIONS
WINNER EDITIONS
Nominated Artists
2023
by Anna Jermolaewa
Experimental Art Class, University of Art and Design Linz
Tina Grassegger
Veronika Harb
Clemens Stöttinger
Sarah Maria Schmidt
by Veronika Dirnhofer
Institute of Fine Arts, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
Brittany Tucker
Nanna Kaiser
David Keckeis
Yelena Maksutay
Michael Reindel
Kim Jessica Nam
by Peter Kogler
Class of Graphic Arts, Academy of Fine Arts Munich
Sebastian Quast
Maximilian Haja
Lu Cheng
by Hans Schabus
Sculpture and Space, University of Applied Arts Vienna
Daniel Fonatti
Chiara Bals
Magdalena Stückler
Chronic
2025
2023
2022
Courtesy: © Chorong Moon, precessed, 2025
Courtesy: © Nanna Kaiser, Skinned sky utopian try, 2023
Courtesy: © Hiu Tung Ching, Untitled, 2021
