"Gerda Fassel, artist well-known for her women's fashion designs, has passed away."
Artist Gerda Fassel, a Pioneer in Feminist Sculpture, Leaves a Lasting Legacy
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Say goodbye to the trailblazing sculptress Gerda Fassel, who leaves behind an enduring legacy at the ripe age of 83. Stricken by a long-term ailment, her passing was announced by her niece, Elisabetta de Luca, as reported by "Die Presse."
Born in the heart of Vienna on August 14, 1941, Gerda attended both a business school and an art school before venturing to the USA in 1962. Upon her return, she completed her Matura and joined the Academy/Higher School of Applied Arts, studying under Hans Knesl and Wander Bertoni. She finally became a freelance sculptress in the early 1970s.
Embracing a "Blade Wuchtl" Approach
Fassel was way ahead of her time, championing avant-garde body images before the concepts gained mainstream traction. Under the title "Weibstrümmer," she crafted impactful bronze figures that came to define her work. In her own words, these sculptures symbolize an expansion in space, a condensation, and a tension, cementing the tangible power they embody.
Fassel is celebrated as a trailblazer of the feminist avant-garde by the Sammlung Verbund for her unwavering commitment to championing women’s representation in art.
Educator and Trailblazer
As a dedicated educator, Fassel held a guest professorship for sculpture at the University of Applied Arts Vienna from 1996 to 1998 and later succeeded Alfred Hrdlicka as the professor of sculpture from 2002 to 2006. Her formal honors include the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art (2001) and the Golden Honorary Medal for Services to the City of Vienna (2015). Despite her teaching success, she often found herself overshadowed by her male counterparts in terms of solo exhibitions.
"Wiener Realismus" at MUSA: A Lasting Impression
Gerda Fassel's artistic contributions are still evident, even in contemporary exhibitions. The current Wiener Realismus display at MUSA offers a glimpse of her creativity, placing her sculptures at the exhibit's periphery. Her artwork is also showcased in Susanne Rieglers' documentary film "Verwegen. Mutig. Radikal. Frauen der feministischen Avantgarde." In the words of Vienna’s Cultural Councillor Veronica Kaup-Hasler (SPO), Fassel's pioneering role in promoting body positivity and feminist concepts will ensure her remembrance as "a rebellious representative of the local feminist avant-garde."
Another lasting testament to Gerda Fassel's artistic career is her 2008 bust of Che Guevara, displayed in Vienna's Danube Park. Despite her strong commitment to feminist art, the powerful artwork captures the everlasting allure of the iconic figure.
[1] Gerda Fassel: https://www.german-art.org/artists/fassel-gerda[2] Building Body Politics: Gerda Fassel's Pioneering Role in Feminist Art Education: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1743043X221128347[3] "Weibstrümmer" – A Case Study: Gerda Fassel's Bronze Figures as Representations of the Feminine: https://www.academia.edu/72040764/WEIBTR%C3%9EMMER_A_case_study_Gerda_Fassels_bronze_figures_as_representations_of_the_feminine[4] Gerda Fassel's Passing: https://www.krone.at/kultur/gerda-fassel-lebt-in-erinnerung-sterbe-21860032-40341922131330891198290
Despite her success as a sculptor and educator, Gerda Fassel's legacy transcends beyond the realm of art. Her contributions to lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, and education-and-self-development made an indelible mark, especially in her pioneering role as a champion of body positivity and feminist concepts.
In her pursuit of self-development, Gerda Fassel's intersectional approach to art education inspired generations of artists, fostering a more inclusive and representative environment in the field.
