Mr Kurt Schranzer

Mr Kurt Schranzer

Associate Lecturer
Arts,Design & Architecture
School of Art & Design

Kurt Schranzer is a Sydney-based artist and lecturer, primarily working within the discipline of drawing. Finding aesthetic similitudes with 20th century European modernism, he has drawn widely from both art and literature, including the works of Paul Klee, Jean Arp, de Chirico, Max Ernst, Lorca, Genet, and Cocteau. His reduced, architectural drawing style challenges the assertion that the gesture or ‘expressive mark’ is drawing’s quintessence. Joe Frost, in his review of Drawings: Kurt Schranzer & Tony Tuckson, speaks of Schranzer’s approach as epitomizing drawing as a controlled process whilst still having a regard for beauty and psychological effect. Christopher Dean writes in The Speculum of the Other Man that Schranzer’s formal line work is both scientific and fetishist, constituting “a boys own journey into modernism.” Steering a course through abstraction and figuration, and from drawing into object-making, Schranzer’s personae and subjects are eclectic and idiosyncratic, traversing the celestial, botanical, nautical, avian alongside the male nude. They are exploited to elaborate upon themes of masculinity and self-identity, the homo-social and the erotic, the psychoanalytic, and the esoteric.

Schranzer's most recent works deal with cross-cultural and art-historical quotations, principally between the visual languages, compositions, and themes found in Western modernism and Japanese ‘warrior pictures’ (武者絵, musha-e) of the 19th century (late Edo period). They deploy conventions and techniques found in Modernist collage practice, 19th century technical drawing, and 20th century digital drawing, situating his work within the realms of fine arts, engineering, and graphics conventions, contributing to discourses on the nature of disciplinary practices and fusions of high and low art traditions. They take as their main stimulus themes and compositional variations within Japanese ‘warrior pictures’ by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Yoshitora, Yoshikazu, Sadahide, and Tsukioka Yoshitoshi that depict ocean battles and other legendary scenes. From a psychoanalytic perspective, Schranzer often adopts the alter-ego of Lop-Lop, a reference to the bird-like figure Loplop originally used as an alter-ego by the modernist artist Max Ernst. In many images, Lop-Lop himself takes on the identity of Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源義経), a commander of the Minamoto clan in the early Kamakura period, often described in Japanese literature and culture as a ‘tragic hero’—a great but deeply flawed warrior. In this regard, there is a complex quotation that is personal, cross-cultural, and art-historical.

Schranzer has worked at UNSW Art & Design (previously known as College of Fine Arts and City Art Institute) since 1988 in both technical and academic capacities. He has taught within the disciplines of drawing and painting since 2000, at both undergraduate and postgraduate coursework levels. His drawings have been exhibited internationally and nationally at various galleries, institutions and universities, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Grafton Regional Gallery, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, Orange Regional Gallery, Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery.

http://www.kurtschranzer.com

Phone
+61-2-89360658
Location
Room F218H (F-Block) UNSW Art & Design Cnr Oxford St & Greens Rd, Paddington, NSW 2021 Australia
  • Creative Works (non-textual) | 2020
    Schranzer K, 2020, The Terrible Storm: Upturned Boats with Yoshikazu’s Waves and Ayakashi Rising from the Sea, Kedumba Drawing Award 2020, Kedumba Gallery, Blue Mountains Grammar School, Wentworth Falls, NSW, 19 September 2020 - 11 October 2020, medium: Pigment ink on cotton rag paper, 110 x 68 cm image size, 114 x 72 cm paper size, at: https://kedumba.org.au/kedumba-drawing-award-2020/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2019
    Schranzer K, 2019, Picture of Lop-Lop and His Faithful Retainers Crossing the Sea, Encountering a Terrible Storm and the Vengeful Spirits of the Deep-Sea-Fish, 2015–2019, Hands Across the Pacific Art Exhibition, Ningbo Museum of Art, Ningbo, China, 06 August 2019 - 16 August 2019, medium: Pigment ink on cotton rag paper, 59 x 114 cm image size, at: http://eng.nma.org.cn/
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2016
    Schranzer KJ, 2016, Exploding Plane (Lop-Lop’s First Quantum Flight), 2013, Drawing Conversations, Raynor Hoff Project Space, National Art School, Sydney, 28 September 2016 - 30 September 2016, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2015
    Schranzer KJ, 2015, Lop-Lop Disguised as Yoshitsune, in the Act of His Eight-Boat-Leap (For Sadahide, Kuniyoshi, and a Young Kunichika), 2015, The Kedumba Drawing Award, Orange Regional Gallery, Orange NSW, 12 September 2015 - 15 November 2015, medium: Pigment ink on cotton rag paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2015
    Schranzer KJ, 2015, The Book of the Dead, 2002, Bookmarked, Stills Gallery, Sydney, 04 March 2015 - 28 March 2015, medium: Acrylic, brass and nickel piano-hinges, wood, book object 9.5 x 10.2 x 12 cm mounted under glass, 2 pack acrylic/wood box frame 41 x 37.5 x 18 cm
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2015
    Schranzer KJ, 2015, The Eternal Return, The Eternal Return, Flinders Street Gallery, Sydney, 08 October 2015 - 31 October 2015
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2015
    Schranzer KJ, 2015, The Lightning War Between the Superior and Inferior of Birds (After Uccello’s ‘The Battle of San Romano’ and Utagawa Sadahide’s Battle Scene of ‘Yoshitsune at Dainotsu no Ura’), 2014, City of Hobart Art Prize, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart, 18 September 2015 - 29 November 2015, medium: Pigment ink and collage on cotton rag paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2014
    Schranzer KJ, 2014, Lop-Lop Disguised as Argus Panoptes, the All-Seeing (for Paul Klee), 2013, Monochrome, Sheffer Gallery, Sydney, 18 March 2014 - 29 March 2014, medium: Giclée print, pigment ink on cotton rag paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2014
    Schranzer KJ, 2014, Lop-Lop and the Astronomical Storm (for Utagawa Sadahide 歌川貞秀), 2013, Monochrome, Sheffer Gallery, Sydney, 18 March 2014 - 29 March 2014, medium: Giclée print, pigment ink on cotton rag paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2014
    Schranzer KJ, 2014, Lop-Lop's First Quantum Flight (for Wang Meng 王蒙), 2013, The Democracy of Drawing, AirSpace Projects, Sydney, 14 March 2014 - 22 March 2014, medium: Giclée print, pigment ink on cotton rag paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2014
    Schranzer KJ, 2014, The Celestial Clash Between Pep and Lop-Lop (After Uccello's 'The Battle of San Romano' and Altdorfer's 'The Battle of Issus'), 2014, Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award, Grafton Regional Gallery, Grafton NSW; travelling to Manning Regional Art Gallery, Taree NSW; Cowra Regional Gallery, Cowra NSW; University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery, USC QLD; Glasshouse Port Macquarie, Port Macquarie NSW; Redcliffe City Art Gallery, Redcliffe QLD; Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, Broken Hill NSW; Tamworth Regional Gallery, Tamworth NSW; 2015 to August 2016, 17 October 2014 - 07 December 2014, medium: Pigment ink and collage on cotton rag paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2013
    Schranzer KJ, 2013, Kurt Schranzer & Terry Burrows: Spirit & Flesh, Kurt Schranzer & Terry Burrows: Spirit & Flesh, The University Gallery, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 20 February 2013 - 09 March 2013, at: http://www.kurtschranzer.com/Kurt_Schranzer_E_spirit-flesh.html
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2013
    Schranzer KJ, 2013, Loplop présente Lop-Lop, Loplop présente Lop-Lop, Flinders Street Gallery, Sydney, 03 December 2013 - 21 December 2013
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2012
    Schranzer KJ, 2012, Metaphysisches Stilleben (The Fabric of the Universe), 2010, Height X Width, Sheffer Gallery, Sydney, 20 November 2012 - 01 December 2012, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2012
    Schranzer KJ, 2012, The Ambassadors (The Spring of Discontent), 2011, Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award, Grafton Regional Gallery, Grafton NSW; travelling 2012–2104 Redcliffe City Art Gallery; University of the Sunshine Coast; New England Regional Art Museum; Hervey Bay Regional Gallery; Griffith Regional Gallery; Tamworth Regional Gallery; Bundaberg Regional Gallery; Caboolture Regional Art Gallery; Gympie Regional Gallery, 26 October 2012 - 02 December 2012, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2012
    Schranzer KJ, 2012, The Flight of Pep and Lop-Lop Above the Oceans Inside the Room (Unique Forms of Continuity in Space), 2010, Height X Width, Sheffer Gallery, Sydney, 20 November 2012 - 01 December 2012, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2011
    Schranzer KJ, 2011, Metaphysische Stilleben, Metaphysische Stilleben, Flinders Street Gallery, Sydney, 30 April 2011 - 21 May 2011, at: http://www.kurtschranzer.com/Kurt_Schranzer_G_13.html
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2011
    Schranzer KJ, 2011, Metaphysisches Stilleben (Nights so Dark They Festered Stars), 2010, Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing, Adelaide Perry Gallery, The Croydon Centre for Art, Design & Technology, PLC, Sydney, 25 February 2011 - 26 March 2011, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2011
    Schranzer KJ, 2011, Metaphysisches Stilleben (The Garden of Earthly Delights), 2010, Hazelhurst Art Award, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre, Gymea, NSW, 08 July 2011 - 14 August 2011, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2011
    Schranzer KJ, 2011, The Great Walls, The Great Walls, Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, Emu Plains, NSW, 16 April 2011 - 19 June 2011, at: http://www.kurtschranzer.com/Kurt_Schranzer_G_12.html
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2010
    Schranzer KJ, 2010, Barock Stilleben mit Sturm (The Eternal Game), 2010, Dobell Prize for Drawing, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 06 November 2010 - 30 January 2011, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2010
    Schranzer KJ, 2010, Phantastisches Stilleben (Bird of Paradise with Mechanical Lop-Lop), 2008, No Right Turn — Drawing from Western Sydney, Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, Emu Plains, NSW, 10 April 2010 - 27 June 2010, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2010
    Schranzer KJ, 2010, Phantastisches Stilleben (Can Buoy, Whistle Buoy, Bell Buoy, and Capsized Boat), 2008, No Right Turn — Drawing from Western Sydney, Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, Emu Plains, NSW, 10 April 2010 - 27 June 2010, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2009
    Schranzer KJ, 2009, He Wished to Create the Appearance of a Safe Harbour, Should Chance Happen to Blow a Vessel His Way, 2004, Making Our Times, University Gallery, The University of Newcastle, NSW, 01 April 2009 - 24 April 2009, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2009
    Schranzer KJ, 2009, Phantastisches Stilleben (Bird of Paradise with Mechanical Lop-Lop), 2008, Making Our Times, University Gallery, The University of Newcastle, NSW, 01 April 2009 - 24 April 2009, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2009
    Schranzer KJ, 2009, Phantastisches Stilleben (Can Buoy, Whistle Buoy, Bell Buoy, and Capsized Boat), 2008, Making Our Times, University Gallery, The University of Newcastle, NSW, 01 April 2009 - 24 April 2009, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2009
    Schranzer KJ, 2009, Phantastisches Stilleben (Napoleon with Starfish and Tongues), 2008, City of Hobart Art Prize 09: Drawing and Sculpture, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart, TAS, 04 July 2009 - 09 August 2009, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2009
    Schranzer KJ, 2009, The Ocean has left its Debris on the Beach, 2008, Hazelhurst Art Award 09: Art on Paper, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre, Gymea, NSW, 27 June 2009 - 16 August 2009, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2008
    Schranzer KJ, 2008, Fallen Skateboarder, 2006, The Tallis Foundation 2008 National Works on Paper, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, VIC, 28 May 2008 - 06 July 2008, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2008
    Schranzer KJ, 2008, I Shall Mask the Sailor in a Constellation of Stars, 2004, VI International Biennial of Drawing Pilsen 2008, The Museum of West Bohemia, Jirí Trnka Gallery, and University Gallery, Pilsen, Czech Republic, 04 October 2008 - 16 November 2008, medium: Ink on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2008
    Schranzer KJ, 2008, Lament of the Fisherman: He Netted Only Bird-Heads, Debris, and Hints of Sea-Salt, 2004, Bent Western, Blacktown Arts Centre, Blacktown, NSW, 07 February 2008 - 12 April 2008, medium: Ink on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2008
    Schranzer KJ, 2008, Lament of the Fisherman: He Netted Only Bird-Heads, Debris, and Hints of Sea-Salt, 2004, VI International Biennial of Drawing Pilsen 2008, The Museum of West Bohemia, Jirí Trnka Gallery, and University Gallery, Pilsen, Czech Republic Ink on paper, 04 October 2008 - 16 November 2008, medium: Ink on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2008
    Schranzer KJ, 2008, Phantastische Stilleben and other drawings, Phantastische Stilleben and other drawings, Flinders Street Gallery, Sydney, 29 October 2008 - 22 November 2008
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2008
    Schranzer KJ, 2008, Self-Portrait on Christmas Eve, Whilst Masturbating, 1986, Bent Western, Blacktown Arts Centre, Blacktown, NSW, 07 February 2008 - 12 April 2008, medium: Acrylic on canvas board
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2008
    Schranzer KJ, 2008, The Coming Storm, 2004, VI International Biennial of Drawing Pilsen 2008, The Museum of West Bohemia, Jirí Trnka Gallery, and University Gallery, Pilsen, Czech Republic, 04 October 2008 - 16 November 2008, medium: Ink on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2008
    Schranzer KJ, 2008, Young Skateboarder, 2006, Bent Western, Blacktown Arts Centre, Blacktown, NSW, 07 February 2008 - 12 April 2008, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2007
    Schranzer KJ, 2007, Self-Portrait with Vase of Flowers, 2007, The Kedumba Drawing Award, The Kedumba Gallery, Wentworth Falls NSW, 27 October 2007 - 02 December 2007, medium: Ink and collage on paper, at: http://kedumba.org.au/ratscatsandmagpies/wp-content/uploads/kedumba-2007-catalogue.pdf
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2006
    Schranzer KJ, 2006, Le cul mécanique, Le cul mécanique, Esa Jäske Gallery, Sydney, 04 October 2006 - 28 October 2006, at: http://www.kurtschranzer.com/Kurt_Schranzer_G_01.html
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2006
    Schranzer KJ, 2006, Phantastisches Stilleben (Down the Rabbit Hole), 2006, Dobell Prize for Drawing, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 29 September 2006 - 03 December 2006, medium: Ink and collage on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2005
    Schranzer KJ, 2005, The Sailor Still Cast His Tangled Net Out, Night after Night, 2004, Dobell Prize for Drawing, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 05 August 2005 - 16 October 2005, medium: Ink on paper
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2004
    Schranzer KJ, 2004, I Shall Wrap the Sailor, I Shall Wrap the Sailor, Esa Jäske Gallery, Sydney, 06 October 2004 - 30 October 2004, at: http://www.kurtschranzer.com/Kurt_Schranzer_G_02.html
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2003
    Schranzer KJ, 2003, Pages from ‘The Book of Veils’, 1999–2002, Dobell Prize for Drawing, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 12 September 2003 - 30 November 2003, medium: ink, pencil, acrylic, gesso on 2 panels, each panel 30 x 20 cm
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2002
    Schranzer KJ, 2002, Airstrip, Praxis 2002, - , medium: Site specific wall drawing, pigment ink
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2002
    Schranzer KJ, 2002, Bird Watcher, Praxis 2002, - , medium: Site specific wall drawing, pigment ink
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2002
    Schranzer KJ, 2002, The Ballad of Vacant Bird-Eyes, Appliance, UNSW SOLARCH Solar Research Centre, Little Bay, NSW, - , medium: Site specific wall drawing, pigment ink, steel, aluminium, carbon, enamel, brass assemblages
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2001
    Schranzer KJ, 2001, Processional Wall, Histories in the Making, Ivan Dougherty Gallery, Sydney, - , medium: Site specific wall drawing, pigment ink
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2001
    Schranzer KJ, 2001, The Poetics of Descent, The Poetics of Descent, Artspace, Sydney, 06 September 2001 - 29 September 2001
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2001
    Schranzer KJ, 2001, Young Man on Stage, Prax-is, Kudos Gallery, Sydney, - , medium: Site specific wall drawing, pigment ink
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2000
    Schranzer KJ, 2000, Infinite Nostalgia, Infinite Nostalgia, Room 35, Sydney., 09 August 2000 - 02 September 2000, at: http://www.kurtschranzer.com/Kurt_Schranzer_G_03.html

Kurt Schranzer is an Education-Focused (EF) academic, teaching within the Bachelor of Fine Arts program. His workload is principally devoted to teaching, though he is also undertaking creative research focused on cultural and art-historical pollinations between 20th century European modernism and 19th century Japanese ukiyo-e