PARALLEL Vienna / Artfair

Using imagery and poetic language, the artist shows a dry understanding of a situation that cannot be changed. Her strategy is to capture unspeakable personal, social and political problems in ways ranging from humorous to painful, and to make them visible and speak for those people who are incapable of doing so at this moment.

The works Sitting in the Closet and The Silent Neighbor serve as examples of the mentioned societal “wounds.” Instances such as suicide depicted with a smiley balloon or an anthropomorphic, prone body within a neglected apartment showcase how Merklein stages her own body as both the subject and object in her art. Over time, this utilization even leads to a displacement of her body within the artworks themselves. The performance documentation I Didn’t Say Anything features a comic-style photo story that tackles the sensitive topic of sexual abuse. As if she had broken through the wall herself, Merklein positions herself in the artwork titled Thank You amidst a desolate building. Her presence exudes a sense of determination, as if she aims to conquer the entire world all at once.