Michaela Steinacher Biografie

MICHAELA STEINACHER
Born in 1972 near Vienna, Michaela Steinacher has lived in a world where creativity was not just a passion but an essential part of her existence from an early age. She always saw the world differently—not just as it was, but as it could be. Yet, her untamed creativity met with misunderstanding in art class, where rigid rules stifled her freedom. Her approach to art was dismissed, and her passion was nearly extinguished before it could fully emerge.

A RETURN TO ART THROUGH A TURNING POINT
Years later, when life dealt her a heavy blow and confined her to bed for months, art returned—stronger, louder, and more intense than ever. She realized she had to take control of her own story. She chose to transform her vulnerability into strength and make the courage to change the core of her artistic work.

GREAT CHANGES BEGIN IN SMALL MOMENTS
Steinacher’s works are a deliberate engagement with seemingly insignificant moments. She takes us into everyday scenes that appear meaningless or focuses solely on a facial expression that becomes a metaphor for the action itself. Her art rescues these moments from insignificance, giving them the attention they deserve.

The difficult relationship with her alcohol- and pill-addicted mother is processed in many of her works. Yet her art remains defined by a sense of hope – showing that we alone decide whether to give up or keep going.

THE RESONANCE BETWEEN INNER AND OUTER WORLDS
Steinacher believes that every action—be it a fleeting glance, a conversation, or a gesture—inevitably shapes our surroundings. It is transformation that fascinates her, made visible in her works through a tactile symbol she designed herself - "Entropia"

REBELLION AGAINST THE ORDINARY
Steinacher is not just a painter; she is a visionary who sees her art as a tool for positive change. Her extravagant, assertive visual language is a rebellion against the ordinary—a bold call not just to see the world but to actively change it.

Our world is at a turning point – facing resource scarcity, wars, and climate change. I see my art as an invitation to view change as an opportunity. Each of my works calls for breaking old patterns, discovering new perspectives, and understanding that hope is not a naive weakness, but our greatest strength.
We cannot change everything, but we can begin. In small ways. In the now.
Everything we do leaves traces in our environment – a great responsibility, but also a powerful opportunity to actively shape our future. My large-scale portraits serve as metaphors for everyday situations. They elevate the seemingly mundane and reveal how even small actions influence the world around us.
A strong symbol of embracing change and recognizing it as part of life is Entropia – a unique tactile element I developed and integrate into each of my new works. Formed from rust, it stands for transience and renewal, and for the creative potential that lies within that process.
My distinctive style – abstract realism – merges abstract and realistic elements in a deliberate way. It highlights the duality of our society while opening space for the possibility of coherent coexistence.
In a world that often feels too fast and externally controlled, my art is a call for resolve – and a plea for a self-determined, conscious life