During the 1990s E

During the 1990s, #ElkeKrystufek became known for her often provocative work addressing female identity in a patriarchal society. Inscribed in a history of Austrian artists explicitly exploring sexuality – such as #EgonSchiele, the Vienna Actionists, and #ValieExport – she played a central role in redefining the relationship between private and public. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Krystufek’s installation ‘LET HAIR SPEAK’ is based on the artist’s vast collection of wigs. Serving to either hide identity or draw attention, the wigs appear as stand-ins for the many roles she has ‘slipped into’ over the course of her career. They are presented alongside a selection of works from 1998–2016, some of which feature the artist wearing various wigs, such as ‘Revolution’ – a self-portrait adorned with one of her typical diary-style handwritten statements. Krystufek uses her own image – distorted, debased, disguised, or made sexually explicit – to confront viewers with collective revulsions and desires. — Detail of ‘LET HAIR SPEAK’ presented by @HenrikkeCroyNielsen in the 2019 Feature sector at #ArtBasel2019. #artbasel