David LEITNER

David Leitner (*1992 in Graz) is an austrian artist based in Vienna, whose work
moves between analog and digital, canvas and wall, intimacy and monumentality.

His works reflect a constant interplay between order and dissolution, control
and chaos – a tension that exists not only within urban structures but also in
inner worlds.

Psychological states, transitions, and disruptions play a central role:
the motifs oscillate between clarity and fragmentation, stability and
deconstruction – often marked by an intensity that fluctuates between eruption
and silence.

Leitner combines traditional painterly techniques with contemporary visual
languages, drawing from both - found analog photographs and the overwhelming
flood of digital images circulating online. Rather than clinging to techno-
logical nostalgia or a blind belief in progress, he uses these elements as a
mirror of a fluid, ever-changing sense of reality.

His art is characterized by strong visual contrasts, often dominated by intense
shades that serve as emotional and aesthetic focal points. Whether on concrete,
canvas, or polyurethane – Leitner’s works invite the viewer to look more
closely and to question familiar patterns of perception.

His large-scale murals can be found around the world – including in Los
Angeles, New York City, Vilnius, New Delhi, and Chennai. Through projects such
as the EUNIC Mural Project in New York or collaborations with various Austrian
cultural forums worldwide, he uses art as a means of dialogue between places,
people, and cultural identities.

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2013–2020
University of Applied Arts Vienna (Painting, Graphic Design)
Graduated with distinction, Mag. art. (Project: Würmlas Wände)
2015–2016
Tongji University Shanghai (Design & Innovation)

2020 Collaboration with the Austrian Cultural Forum New Delhi
2022 Collaboration with the Austrian Embassy Washington D.C.
2024 Collaboration with ACFNY and the European Institute for Culture
2024 Realization of a mural for Johanna Kandl

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EXHIBITIONS:

2026
*planet paint*, schönau 8, scharnstein (double exhibition with Kilian wittmann)

2025
*BLACK WHOLE*, boutique romana, wien (solo)

2024
*oltre i confini* rocca paolina perugia, italy
*/imagine* ATLAS, vienna (solo)
*e.u.n.i.c public painting* acf, new york city

2023
*lines&shades* kunsthalle, graz *weihnachtsausstellung* galerie grill, graz

2022
*they asked totally useless questions* keil galerie griesplatz, graz
*film screening and print release*, acf, new york city
*mural painting + artist talk*, austrian embassy, washington d.c.

2020
*beyond dystopia* angst18, vienna *nach wie vor* orpheum, graz

2019
*100%TRASH* kulturdrogerie, vienna (solo)
*1143.slaves/assembly* kunsthaus, graz (performance)

2018
*Janus* MUC30, graz (solo)
*THANKS FOR FOLLOWING* improper walls, vienna (solo)

2017
*rück-kehr* herminengasse1, vienna (solo)
*MADE IN CHINA* M50 shanghai, china (solo)
*Inszenierte Projekte* secession , vienna

2016
*Brew & Blend* m50 shanghai, china
*Buy*Art*for*a*Good*Thing* HOCHhaus herrengasse, vienna
*open street gallery* lendwirbel, graz

2015
*100for10* easyupstream gallery, munich
*Ijen* Aa-Collections, vienna (solo)
*ecce homo* galerie24, Graz (double exhibition with stefan krische)

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public paintings:

New York city, usa
Washington DC, usa
los angeles, usa
new delhi, india
Chennai, india
eastern province, sri lanka
vilnius, lithuania
Palawan, philippines
Malapascua, philippines
lisboa, portugal
lhasa, tibet
tokyo, japan
Shanghai, china
canary islands, spain
porzuna, spain
Usera/madrid, spain
Syros, greece
wiener Neustadt, Austria
Wagendorf, austria
Eisenerz, austria
Wolfurt, austria
würmla, austria
graz, austria
wies, Austria
vienna, austria

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hello(at)davidleitner.at