Xenia Lesniewski and Galerie Zeller van Almsick Win Bildrecht ASTORIA Art Award 2026 in Vienna
The 2026 Bildrecht ASTORIA Art Award has been granted to Xenia Lesniewski and Galerie Zeller van Almsick for their work "The Universe," showcased at the Astoria Artshow in Vienna from September 10 to 13, 2026. This €8,000 award is shared between the artist and the gallery. The jury, consisting of Esther Hladik, Nina Schedlmayer, Klaus Speidel, Sophie Wratzfeld, Günter Schönberger, and Katharina Hoffmann, chose the booth for its compelling artist-gallery narrative. Born in Frankfurt am Main in 1985, Lesniewski's installation features four large consumer items that display hand-painting, critiquing consumerism and sustainability through the juxtaposition of these objects with images of sleeping figures. Photography credits go to Eva Kelety, with images provided by Bildrecht, Vienna, and Galerie Zeller van Almsick. The venue is located at Astoria Garage, Trautsongasse 4, 1080 Vienna.
Key facts
- Xenia Lesniewski and Galerie Zeller van Almsick won the Bildrecht ASTORIA Art Award 2026.
- The award carries €8,000 total: €4,000 for the artistic position and €4,000 for the representing gallery.
- The Universe was presented at Astoria Artshow in Vienna from September 10 to 13, 2026.
- The jury comprised Esther Hladik, Nina Schedlmayer, Klaus Speidel, Sophie Wratzfeld, Günter Schönberger and Katharina Hoffmann.
- The installation consists of four enlarged consumer objects: a to-go cup, a shopping bag, a gift box and a business card.
- The torn-open gift box reveals a painted fragment of a dressed and shod human leg inside.
- Lesniewski was born in 1985 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and lives and works in Vienna.
- Photography is by Eva Kelety; images courtesy Bildrecht, Vienna, and Galerie Zeller van Almsick.
- The venue is Astoria Garage, Trautsongasse 4, 1080 Vienna, Austria.
Entities
Artists
- Xenia Lesniewski
- Esther Hladik
- Nina Schedlmayer
- Klaus Speidel
- Sophie Wratzfeld
- Günter Schönberger
- Katharina Hoffmann
- Eva Kelety
- Sigmund Hutter
- John Trashkowsky
Institutions
- Galerie Zeller van Almsick
- Bildrecht
- Astoria Artshow
- Catapult Contemporary
- Catapult
Locations
- Vienna
- Austria
- Frankfurt am Main
- Germany
- Astoria Garage
- Trautsongasse 4
- 1080 Vienna