Whimsical Watercolors Austrian ëIronic Realistí Gredler Offers Insight Into Artistís Life by Natalie Koss Quirky characters, monumental figures and subtle humor mark the newest exhibit at the Austrian Embassy titled ìPanoramas of Recollections, Watercolors,î the first U.S. exhibit by Austrian-born Martin Gredler. Dubbed an ìironic realist,î Gredlerís wit, disarming candor and confrontational style offer a refreshing look into the life of an artist. Designed especially for the art space at the embassy, the exhibit offers more than 100 rapid sketches and portraits of scenes from real-life situations grouped around the exhibitís theme of ìhome and abroad,î playfully exaggerated to bring out the irony in some of the situations. In a unique presentational style, Gredler adjoins the individual panels of his watercolors to form larger panoramas that tell a personal narrative. Because Gredler allows each of these panels to be taken from the collective whole without disturbing the cohesiveness of the remaining collage of pictures, he explores the possibility of having the audience ìconsume the art.î This technique encourages the viewer to appreciate and understand the larger work and the story it tells, as well as the smaller pieces that can be viewed singularly. Inspired by his birthplace, Gredler incorporates many elements from his rural upbringing into his work. Farm animals and the Austrian agricultural landscape figure prominently into his art. ìI am motivated by little moments in my life,î Gredler said, ìlike walking across the street or washing my face.î He draws his inspiration reflecting on ìthe simple lifeî and its ordinary, daily happenings. Rural scenes and this theme of simplicity provide the main backdrop for his sketches. ìRegards from Home I-V,î for instance, is a series of five individually sketched watercolors: a man with a cow, a man with a hat, a bird, a bird in a tree, and a large egg. To Gredler, this rural lifestyle is ideal: ìEverything is inspiring,î he said. Although this is Gredlerís first exhibit in the United States, he is a well-known artistic talent abroad. After studying art for several years in the United States and Europe, Gredler went on to teach in Germany, South Africa, Lithuania and Austria. He shares his penchant for art with his brother Rupert, a well-known artist in his own right. Gredler is best known for his paintings that depict doppelgangers, an extraordinary tour-de-force series of works that have become his trademark. Although much of his art is a reflection of his own life and experiences, Gredlerís works have multiple interpretations. ìI want the viewers to make up their own story about each work,î Gredler said. His imaginative art communicates ordinary symbols and familiar scenarios that can easily be understood by the viewer. ìMy works focus on transcending everyday life,î the artist noted. ìIt is something that everyone can relate to.î Gredlerís sketches have a playful style that instantly captures the audienceís attention and allows the viewer to absorb its content on a personal level. The whimsical quality of his paintings coupled with a serious realism makes for a compelling mix when examining Gredlerís work, and he depicts his subjects in an exaggerated reality for purposes of irony. In ìPanoramas of Recollection II: Facing the Border,î an elephant stands in the Austrian countryside. Of course, elephants are not native to Austria and neither is the bearded vulture that is strategically placed center stage in the painting. Mirroring the techniques of an artist, the bearded vulture is unhappy with its white chest as it constantly strives to permanently dye his pristine coat of feathers. Similarly, the artist is in a constant struggle to place color on a blank canvas. ìPanoramas of Recollections, Water Colorsî runs through May 1 at the Embassy of Austria, 3524 International Court, NW. For more information, please call (202) 895-6776 or visit www.austria.org/calendar/index.html. Natalie Koss is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C.