Valentin Oman exhibition

“Ecce Homo” – “Behold the Man” is not only the title of the exhibition, but also the central theme of the works of this Slovenian from Carinthia. Man in all his aspects and forms represents the centre of Valentin Oman’s work and the topos of his creative cycles.

The present shows us that the theme of “Ecce Homo” remains civilisationally, politically and in the context of the digital age still relevant. Relief-like, multi-layered and fragmented depictions of man are reminiscent of frescoes. The distinctive formal and material language of his works stems from imaginative stimuli from nature and civilization, and relies on technically complex and multi-layered processes that Valentin Oman has worked on for decades in order to best transform the imaginative stimulus in all its (un)perfect beauty and quality into an image.

The inspiring world of natural shapes, in particular, plays a key role in the creation of Valentin Oman’s paintings. He says: “Again and again I see in nature the patterns of my own formal language.” These motifs serve as a source of artistic inspiration in the creation of fragmentary panel paintings and installations. Their abstract shapes lead Valentin Oman to search for figurative elements in them and develop them. In doing so, he always takes precedence in preserving the imperfect, the unfinished, shall we say, the mysterious.

In addition to numerous exhibitions at home and abroad, including in Oman and Yemen, Valentin Oman has realized various works for and in public spaces, as well as contract works for public buildings, among them the artistic design of the State Secondary School (Gymnasium) for Slovenians in Klagenfurt, murals and the Piranese Stations of the Cross in a church in Tanzenberg/Plesivec, as well as a translators’ stand at the University of Klagenfurt, which is covered with ribbons printed with bilingual names of towns in Carinthia. As a Carinthian Slovene, Valentin Oman is very interested in the preservation and equality of the Slovene language.

Among his many awards, Valentin Oman is a recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of Klagenfurt, a recipient of the Cross of Honour for Science and Art 1. He lives and works in Vienna and Finkenstein/Bekštanj.

Biography

Valentin Oman was born on 14 December 1935 in St. Stefan near Villach, and attended the Marianum in Tanzenberg from 1950 to 1958. From 1958 he studied with Hilda Jesser-Schmid at the Academy of Applied Arts in Vienna, graduating in 1962. The following year he studied graphic arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ljubljana. In addition to works presented at numerous exhibitions at home and abroad, Valentin Oman has created more than 100 works and installations for public spaces. With his coherent, multi-layered and significant work, Valentin Oman is one of the most important personalities of Austrian art. As a Carinthian Slovene, he is committed to the preservation and equalisation of the Slovene language in Carinthia. Valentin Oman lives and works in Vienna and Finkenstein.

Location: Danubiana, Čunovo, Slovakia
Date: from 01.03.2025 – 21.04.2025

Opening hours:

Monday – closed
Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Admission:

Adults – 10 €
Family (2 adults and 2 students) – 20 €
Pensioners (over 62 years old) – 5 €
Students – 5 € Children (under 6 years old) – Free
Danubiana Club Members – Free
Disabled persons, persons over 75 years of age – Free

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