Franz Grabmayr, born in 1927 in Pfaffenberg, Austria, is known as the "father" of the Austrian Junge Wilden and for his unique painting style focusing on the four elements. He spent his childhood in Carinthia, developing a deep connection to nature which influenced his artwork. After initially working as a teacher, he pursued professional training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna under Robin Christian Andersen. Grabmayr's style evolved over the years, with his paintings becoming more impasto and tactile, incorporating natural materials like sand and straw. He lived in seclusion at Rosenau Castle in the Waldviertel, where he found inspiration in nature and experimented with color and texture. The Albertina in Vienna is hosting a solo ex...