The Artistic Journey of Franz Petto
Franz Petto was born in Vienna in 1958 and is a trained engineer who worked in the printing industry before becoming an internationally known artist. Although largely self-taught, he sought advice from fellow artists, including Emilio Vedova, a famous Italian artist from the Informel movement. Franz's parents, who descended from Serbia and Hungary, arrived in Vienna as refugees after World War II. His father was imprisoned in a notorious camp in Serbia during Tito's communist dictatorship. These extreme experiences have deeply influenced Franz's work, prompting him to explore questions about trauma, survival, and the psychological consequences of such events. His art reflects on mechanisms that can help alleviate the impact of traumatic images and experiences, emphasizing hope and humor even in times of crisis.
