Kurt Ryslavy, born in 1961 in Graz, Austria, is a conceptual artist, poet, and painter who has resided in Brussels for over three decades. In addition to his artistic pursuits, he is a self-employed entrepreneur, importing Austrian wines—a venture that significantly influences his art. Ryslavy's practice intertwines his roles as an artist and wine merchant, using this duality to explore themes of art, commerce, and societal norms. He refers to this approach as "bourgeois travesty," aiming to liberate art production from the constraints of globalized cultural funding. His diverse body of work includes text, video, installation, performance, sculpture, painting, and meticulously crafted exhibition concepts.
Ryslavy's work has been exhibited internationally, with solo exhibitions at venues such as BOZAR in Brussels, the Emily Harvey Foundation in New York, and the Vincent Van Gogh House in Zundert. He has also participated in group exhibitions like Sculpture Projects Münster and ARTZUID in Amsterdam. His pieces are part of esteemed collections, including the S.M.A.K. in Ghent and the Herbert Foundation. Through his multifaceted practice, Ryslavy continues to challenge and redefine the intersections between art, commerce, and everyday life.