Traveling with two penguin statues named Joe and Sally, Austrian photographer Willy Puchner documented their presence at tourist landmarks across the globe, including New York, Tokyo, and Cairo. Born in Mistelbach in 1952, he established a career spanning photography, illustration, and authorship, characterized by both long-term portrait series and experimental travel projects that explore human experience and social connection.
Professional Beginnings
Puchner relocated to Vienna in 1967 to pursue photography at the Higher Federal Institution for Graphic Education and Research. After completing his education in 1974, he briefly returned to the institution as a teacher. By 1978, he transitioned into freelance work as a photographer and writer. His academic interests expanded into social and life sciences, leading him to earn a master's degree in philosophy. During the 1980s, he shared his expertise on private photography through lectures at museums, galleries, and universities.
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A significant portion of his body of work focuses on the experience of aging. Through projects like 'At the Age of 90', 'Dialogue with the High Age', and 'Love at High Age', he utilized photography and oral history to create a record of elderly subjects. Beyond these studies, he began a regular collaboration with the newspaper Wiener Zeitung in 1989. His output includes over 30 international exhibitions and more than 20 printed projects, comprising photo sets and children's literature published in both German and English.
Recognition and Awards
Puchner's artistic and academic contributions have received multiple honors. He received the Theodor Körner Prize for art in 1983, followed by a second Theodor Körner Prize for social sciences in 1988. In 2002, his work 'Tagebuch der Natur' earned him both the Kinderbuchpreis der Stadt Wien and the national prize for children's and youth literature. He was further recognized with the Kunstmediator award in 2011, and in 2012, his book 'Willy Puchners Welt der Farben' secured both city and national accolades for its illustrations.
Fast facts
- Born: 15 March 1952, Mistelbach, Austria
- Primary occupations: Photographer, writer, illustrator, painter
- Education: University of Vienna
- Notable project: Penguins - Traveling the World
- Exhibitions: Over 30 worldwide
- Published books: Over 20 printed projects
- Languages: German
Questions readers ask
What is the primary subject of Puchner's penguin series?
The project documents two statues named Joe and Sally at global tourist sites including New York, Paris, and Tokyo.
Did Puchner focus on any specific age groups in his photography?
Yes, he produced several projects documenting elderly subjects, including works focused on individuals aged 90 and 100.
