Thomas Riess is a renowned Austrian artist whose work delves into the complexities of human perception, time, and reality. Born in Zams, Tyrol, in 1970, Riess pursued his artistic education at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, specializing in Graphic Arts and Visual Media, and graduated in 2001. Since 2009, he has lived and worked in Vienna, where he continues to refine his distinctive artistic vision.

Riess’s practice spans painting, drawing, collage, and video, with a primary focus on painting. His works are characterized by their interplay of photorealistic figures and abstract elements, inviting viewers to question the authenticity of identity and self-representation in an age dominated by curated digital personas. By merging the tangible with the intangible, Riess challenges the viewer to reconsider notions of reality and the ephemeral nature of existence.

Internationally exhibited, Riess’s works have been featured in major shows, including Personal Structures at the 55th Venice Biennale (2013) and Fly Me to the Moon at Kunsthaus Zürich and Museum der Moderne Salzburg (2019). His contributions to contemporary art have earned him prestigious awards such as the Durst Art Award (2005), the Welde Art Award (2008), and the Schiele Award (2024). Additionally, his multi-year residency at the @rtist’s Kitchen in Vienna (2009–2012) played a pivotal role in his creative development. Learn more here.