Born of Earth
'I form this raw material, earth, with my hands guided by my own imagination, but it seeks to mysteriously elude me; the alchemistic process of firing adds surprising new elements each time. I shape the material and simultaneously it has its own power. I try to detect this elementary power within me through the conflicting process. The complementary opposites of stillness and movement, convex and concave, arise from the strong kneading and the fine curving and modelling. I shape the dampness and the softness, it dries and becomes matt and fragile, and through the transformation in the fire arises the firmness, shine, a new vibrancy. We too spring from the same ephemeral materials issuing from the Mother Earth. The rebirth through the fire brings something to life which transcends time'
Biography
Brigitte Saugstad studied ceramic art and design at the University of Applied Arts Vienna under Matteo Thun. She subsequently trained as a porcelain painter at the Augarten Porcelain Manufactory in Vienna (1989–1990), deepening her understanding of surface, colour and ceramic precision.During her time at the College of Art in New Delhi, she encountered Indian mythology and ornamentation — influences that continue to shape her work. Bridging cultures, making inner worlds of experience visible, and the conviction that art can transcend cultural boundaries are central themes of her practice.
Equally formative for her artistic language is her earlier career as a competitive figure skater. Years of training, movement, rotation and speed shaped a bodily memory that continues to live in her sculptures to this day. Figure skating taught her concentrated discipline and dedication — the kind of freedom that only emerges when technique and movement become second nature.
“Even then, on the ice, I already felt myself to be both an artist and an athlete. What remained was not only the memory of movement, but a dynamic bodily language. When I model, what I feel and what emerges are one and the same.
I could never work like a sculptor in stone or wood: there, form emerges through the removal of material — through resistance rather than movement. With clay, I can express what already exists within my body.”
Her diploma project Himmelsspiegel (“Sky Mirrors”) — large-scale vessels slowly built by hand on a historical kick wheel — marked a turning point: a conscious departure from industrial production methods and the decision to pursue her own path in working with clay and form.
At the centre of her practice is a direct dialogue with the material. Colour, ornament and surface emerge through the interplay of earth, glaze, fire and intuition. Her sculptures combine physical presence with fluid movement, appearing both powerful and weightless.
Born in Vienna, Brigitte Saugstad lives and works in Vienna and Lower Austria following extended stays in India, Canada and the United States. Her works are exhibited internationally in galleries, exhibitions and art fairs, and are held in private collections worldwide.
Curatorial Activities
Alongside her artistic practice, Brigitte Saugstad is involved in the conception and curation of exhibitions. In 2025, she co-curated BLUE MOODS, a collaborative exhibition project between the Künstlerbund St. Pölten and <kunstaspekt> Baden, comprising two parallel exhibitions at Galerie im Turm Baden and KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, followed by BLUE MOODS reloaded at KUNST/WERK St. Pölten. In 2026, she co-curated the exhibition FLORA bringt Blumen at KUNST/WERK St. Pölten.
Art prizes and recognitions
2025
Ganesha 'Acquisition of Joy', Adolf Peschek Audience Award, City Museum St.Pölten, Austria
2023
UP Installation, Adolf Peschek Audience Award, City Museum St.Pölten, Austria
2017
Lord of Dance, Adolf Peschek Audience Award, City Museum St.Pölten, Austria
Balance is Everything, Nomination for best sculpture Artedition Compliment, Artinnovation Innsbruck
2016
Ganesha Anführer der göttlichen Heerscharen, Audience Award, City Museum St.Pölten, Austria
2015
Balance is Everything, 3.Preis Leonardo Award for Sculpture, Chianciano Biennale, Italy
ViennaBLOOM, special mention of excellence, London Art Biennale, UK
2014
Eisprinzessin Hoppala, Premio de Marchi for Sculpture, Bologna, Italy
A selection of national and international exhibitions
Solo shows:
2026
ViennaBLOOM RISE, Hartmann, Vienna, Austria
2024
Let's dance!, Hartmann, Vienna, Austria
2023
ViennaBLOOM, Österreichische Werkstätten, Vienna, Austria
2022
(Un)MÖGLICHES, Galerie Lieglweg Neulengbach, Austria
Ganesha, Hartman Optik, Vienna, Austria
2011
Iceprincess, Hartmann, Vienna, Austria
Rooted & Blooming, Park Heldenberg, Lower Austria
Iceprincess, Galerie Studio 18, Vienna, Austria
Group shows:
2026
WIR FEIERN UNS! – 80th Anniversary Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
Charity Auction for Tierschutz Austria, Dorotheum Online Auction, Austria
haupt.werk | haupt.stadt, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
FLORA bringt Blumen, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Cultural exchange, Cabella Ligure, Italy
2025
25/24 Silent Treasures, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
79th Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
MY INDIA, Kunstschranne Weißenburg, Germany
BLUE MOODS reloaded, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
BLUE MOODS, <kunstaspekt>Baden, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
VOYAGE, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
2024
ArtFusion Saugstad/Denk, Galerie Eichgraben, Austria
Auction/Action! Charity Auction, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
78th Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
Sculptures, VKK Eichgraben, Austria
DeSideria, Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia, Rome, Italy
touching, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Anniversary Exhibition "50 Years Galerie Eichgraben", Austria
2023
Twentyfour 23, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
77th Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
Freedom, KulturAXE, Vienna, Austria
Silence – Emptiness – White, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Hyppolit and Daughters, Public Art, St. Pölten, Austria
2022
76th Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
Twentyfour 22, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Cut Outs Cut Ups, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Artfair Innsbruck, Austria
Between the Lines, Museum Laxenburg, Austria
Masked, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Hyppolit and Daughters, Public Art, St. Pölten, Austria
Group Exhibition 21/22, Artinnovation Innsbruck, Austria
2021
Artfair Innsbruck, Austria
Body, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Group Exhibition 21/22, Artinnovation Innsbruck, Austria
Exchange, Künstlerhaus Graz, Austria
75th Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
Hyppolit and Daughters, Public Art, St. Pölten, Austria
2020
74th Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
Ganesha, Luismi PMI Jet Terminal Mallorca, Spain
ReAction, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Hyppolit and Daughters, Public Art, St. Pölten, Austria
INSITU, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
HANDeln, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
2019
Artfair Innsbruck, Austria
Made in Paradise, Galerie Artinnovation, Berlin, Germany
Flow, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Ibiza Artfair, Spain
over.view, Baroque Castle Mistelbach, Austria
NoRobots, Kro Art Contemporary, Vienna, Austria
On Tour, Royal Opera Gallery, London, United Kingdom
Dancing on Sunshine, Salon Golden Garden, Lyon, France
73rd Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
Self.I, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Open Studio, Eichgraben, Lower Austria
Taipei International, Metropolitan Theatre Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2018
72nd Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
Artfair Innsbruck, Austria
Moving, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Figures 3, Galerie zum Alten Rathaus, Stockerau, Austria
Festa di Natale, Le Murate di Firenze, Italy
The Dynamics of Silence, Eine Art Galerie, Mödling, Austria
NoRobots, Gallery Improper Walls, Vienna, Austria
Square, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Shadow, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Open Studio, Eichgraben, Lower Austria
2017
71st Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
TAKTIL, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Secret Garden, Santa Eulalia del Río, Ibiza, Spain
Explosion and Innovation, Gallery Aragon 232, Barcelona, Spain
ARTBAHO, Barcelona, Spain
AIDAC Salon 2017, St. Tropez, France
NoRobots, Galerie KOKO, Vienna, Austria
Ibiza Artfair, Spain
Salon Golden Garden, Mandelieu-Cannes, France
Hommage à Morandi, Galerie Verein Kunst und Kultur Eichgraben, Austria
Art Shopping, Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, France
Kölner Liste, Cologne, Germany
present, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
round, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Open Studio, Eichgraben, Lower Austria
2016
70th Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
Artfair Innsbruck, Austria
Happiness, Galerie M. Beck, Homburg, Germany
Horizons, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
black, white & grey, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Art Monaco, Monaco
Not for Sale, KUNST/WERK St. Pölten, Austria
Open Studio, Eichgraben, Lower Austria
2015
Art Beijing, China
Art Total Beijing, Gallery Art Nou Mil.lenni, Barcelona, Spain
Inner Peace, Darb 1718 Contemporary Art & Culture Center, Cairo, Egypt
London Biennale, United Kingdom
Artfair Innsbruck, Austria
69th Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
Chianciano Biennale, Italy
Art Book Presentation, Artinnovation, Casino Innsbruck, Austria
Kölner Liste, Cologne, Germany
Mural of the Peace, Florida, USA
Open Studio, Eichgraben, Lower Austria
2014
Artfair Tehran, Iran
Artfair Innsbruck, Austria
Artfair Cologne, Germany
68th Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
The Illusion of Reality, Galleria De Marchi, Bologna, Italy
Salone Bernini, Artinnovation, Galleria Sabrina Falzone, Milan, Italy
Modern European Art, Art Space Gallery, New York, USA
Open Studio, Eichgraben, Lower Austria
2013
Artfair Innsbruck, Austria
67th Annual Exhibition of the Künstlerbund St. Pölten, City Museum St. Pölten, Austria
Catalogue Presentation 2008–2013, Rearte Gallery, Vienna, Austria
Charity Exhibition, Imperial Palace, Lions Club Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria
Akzenta Graz, Austria
Art Calendar 2014 Presentation, Artinnovation Innsbruck, Austria
6th International Painters' Festival, Burgruine Reichenstein, Austria
Opening Exhibition Galerie ArtRoom21, Innsbruck, Austria
Open Studio, Eichgraben, Lower Austria
2012
Beyond Thoughts, Rearte Gallery, Vienna, Austria
Changing Places – Art Without Borders, Galerie Offenes Atelier D.U. Design, Villach, Austria
Festival Cultura dello Spirito, Albera Ligure, Italy
Spring Art Fair, Kunstpavillon Innsbruck, Austria
QuadriArt, EAGL Gallery, Berlin, Germany
Open Studio, Eichgraben, Lower Austria
2011
Open Studio, Eichgraben, Lower Austria
2010
Ganeshas and Fairies, Galerie Verein Kunst und Kultur Eichgraben, Austria
Festival Cultura dello Spirito, Albera Ligure, Italy
Open Studio, Eichgraben, Lower Austria
2009
Elephants for Peace, Galerie Studio 18, Vienna, Austria
Festival Cultura dello Spirito, Albera Ligure, Italy
Elephants for Peace, International Peace Exhibition, Ledra Street Border Checkpoint, Cyprus
Open Studio, Eichgraben, Lower Austria
2008
Christmas Spirit, Galerie am Karmelitermarkt, Vienna, Austria
Role Plays – Impressions of Venice, Karmeliterkirche, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Distribuzione dei Ruoli, Centro D'Arte San Vidal, U.C.A.I., Venice, Italy
Ganesha, Galerie zum Alten Rathaus, Stockerau, Austria
Open Studio, Eichgraben, Lower Austria
2007
This and That, Schokoladenfabrik, Vienna, Austria
2005
Winter Colours, Galerie am Karmelitermarkt, Vienna, Austria
2001–2004
Heritage House Gallery, Langley, British Columbia, Canada
2001–2003
Arnold Mikelson's Mind And Matter Gallery, Ocean Park, Canada
2000
Gallery NC, Asheville, North Carolina, USA
1990
Rosa Mayreder and Feminism in Vienna around 1900, Historical Museum of the City of Vienna, Austria
1985
A New Coffee Landscape, New York, USA, and Innsbruck, Austria
Art Books and Catalogues
2025
Catalogue BLUE MOODS
Carpe diem, 2605568-5, Article on MY INDIA, Kunstschranne Weißenburg
2022
schaufenster KULTUR.REGION, Article "Fortunately an Artist"
2021
Catalogue 70 Years Künstlerbund St. Pölten 1946–2021, edition of over 500 copies
2019
Artedition Contemporary Art, Edition 2019, Kunstverein Artinnovation, Studia Universitätsverlag Innsbruck, ISBN 978-3-903030-80-0
2018
Artedition Contemporary Art, Edition 2018, Kunstverein Artinnovation, Studia Universitätsverlag Innsbruck, ISBN 978-3-903030-48-0
KunSTücke – Works of Contemporary Artists, Red Edition: DIE STERNE DER KUNST ERLÖSCHEN NIE!, Südseiten Verlag, Moosrain am Tegernsee, ISBN 978-3-9816949-5-6
Catalogue LOWER AUSTRIA CONTEMPORARY 2018, Kultur NÖ
Alpenrand Magazin, alpenrand-magazin.de
2017
KunSTücke – Works of Contemporary Artists, Orange Edition: KUNST BIRGT EINEN MÄCHTIGEN ZAUBER, Südseiten Verlag, Moosrain am Tegernsee, ISBN 978-3-9816949-4-9
21st Salon International Des Artistes Contemporains 2017, Saint Tropez
Catalogue GLÜCK / Happiness, Kölner Liste, Naumann Beck Verlag, ISBN 978-3-939755-85-2, edition of 500
2016
KunSTücke – Works of Contemporary Artists, Green Edition: KUNST IST EINE FRAGE DER PERSPEKTIVE, Südseiten Verlag, Moosrain am Tegernsee, ISBN 978-3-9816949-3-2
Catalogue 70 Years St. Pöltner Künstlerbund 1946–2016, edition of over 500 copies
Catalogue GLÜCK / Happiness, Galerie M. Beck, Homburg/Saar, Naumann Beck Verlag, ISBN 978-3-939755-48-7
2015
Artedition Contemporary Art, Edition 2016, Kunstverein Artinnovation, Studia Universitätsverlag Innsbruck, ISBN 978-3-200-04314-5 (published November 2015)
Kunststücke – Works of Contemporary Artists, Südseiten Verlag, Moosrain am Tegernsee
Chianciano Biennale, Artmuseum Chianciano, Siena
ART Innsbruck – 19th International Fair for Contemporary Art & Antiques, Innsbruck
The Mural of the Peace, Museum of the Americas, Houston
London Biennale – 130 artists 45 nations, Gagliardi Art & Partners, London
Art3 – 150 European Artists, Kitzbüheler Kunstkreis, Galerie Kitz ART, Kitzbühel
2014
Art Collection Iran – International Gallery Exposition, Tehran
ART.FAIR Cologne, art.fair International GmbH, Cologne
International Contemporary Artists Vol. VIII, ICA Publishing, New York
The Illusion of Reality – mostra internazionale arte, Galleria De Marchi, Bologna
Art3 – Contemporary Art of European Artists, Art3 Kunstverlag, Kitzbühel
KunSTücke – Works of Contemporary Artists, ARS GRATIA ARTIS, Südseiten Verlag, Moosrain am Tegernsee, ISBN 978-3-9816939-0-1
2013
Rearte Gallery 2008–2013 – 5th Anniversary, Rearte Gallery, Vienna
Eagl QuadriART 2013, Eagl Gallery, Berlin
Galerie Bertrand Kass 2012–2014, Galerie Bertrand Kass, Innsbruck
1990
Aufbruch in das Jahrhundert der Frau? Rosa Mayreder and Feminism in Vienna around 1900, Historical Museum of the City of Vienna
1984
Tea and Coffee Service – A New Coffee Landscape, University of Applied Arts, Vienna
Portrait © Sonja Dürnberger