Judy Mardnli “Paths to Freedom”

Judy Mardnli, born in Syria in 1988, fled to Austria and completed his studies in painting and graphic arts at the University of Art in Linz in 2021. Since 2023, he has been working regularly as “Artist@Mauthausen” at the Mauthausen Memorial. This special exhibition showcases some of the artworks created here.

The artworks reference locations at the memorial that inspired the artist to reflect: “During my many visits, I always had the feeling that the walls with the peeling paint were speaking to me. I saw and still see figures in them, people. I find a source of inspiration here, albeit a deeply sad one. My paintings are an attempt to remember the people who were imprisoned and died here, to represent their souls.“

Judy himself connects his own experience of fleeing with the suffering of the prisoners in the concentration camp through his art: “As a Kurd, I had to experience what it means to be excluded and oppressed. The past of my people is also a part of me, and everything I can express through my art is shaped by this fact. My art is meant to be a message for peace and justice. A contribution to keep the memory of yesterday alive and not to let it fade.”

The exhibition catalog can be downloaded here.

You can find the places of inspiration for Judy Mardnli's artworks on this map. At some of these locations, there are small copies of the paintings in the exhibition. Can you recognize the artist's inspiration?