31 July 2025  Awarded by a newly led ministryThis year's Outstanding Artist Awards mark a notable moment in Austria's cultural calendar—not only due to the caliber of the awarded works, but also because they are the first to be conferred under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler. The awards are issued annually by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Art, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS), which Babler now heads. His portfolio spans diverse responsibilities, including media, sports and the arts—areas that intersect in how culture is produced, received and valued.In a press statement, Babler emphasized that the awards are designed to recognize personalities and institutions that, through visionary thinking, design excellence and innovative practice, open new perspectives. The prize highlights cultural achievements that not only push artistic boundaries but also shape contemporary discourse. Jewelry artist Petra Zimmermann honored in 'experimental fashion design' categoryIn the field of experimental fashion design, Petra Zimmermann is now one of Austria's most outstanding artists. This is not her first recognition—Zimmermann has previously received multiple awards for her distinctive approach to jewelry and design. Among them is the Eligius Award and features in respected art and fashion contexts (find more biographical information on the website of the Viennese Galerie Slavik). Her creations have consistently been acknowledged for bridging historical references with modern conceptual rigor.Zimmermann's work is currently on display at the Geymüllerschlössel as part of the 'Sidekicks' exhibition (article), where rings and accessories by various artists explore connections between ornament and contemporary design. Her pieces, crafted from recontextualized fragments and transformed materials, transcend decorative function. They serve as thoughtful commentaries on memory, materiality, and value—fittingly reflecting the circular and cultural narratives of today. Zimmermann is arguably one of Austria's most remarkable jewelry artists. The online archive of the magazine Fashion.at reveals mentions of her work going back as far as 2008—evidence of long-standing relevance within both national and international design circles. Notable past recipients in fashionZimmermann joins an impressive roster of past winners in the fashion category, such as rosa mosa (2023), known for their unique shoes; Klaus Mühlbauer (2022), recognized for his contribution to hat design; and Flora Miranda (2016), celebrated for her couture work. These names demonstrate the diversity and experimental edge the award seeks to highlight within wearable art.The Outstanding Artist Awards span eleven categories in total, ranging from visual and performing arts to photography, literature, and media art. A full list of this year's recipients across all disciplines is available on the ministry's website: 👉 bmwkms.gv.at Image: The symbolic, AI-generated image shows pictograms representing various art forms, each enclosed in a glossy, transparent sphere against a white, textured background. In the center, a large bubble contains the words 'From Art to Fashion: Austria's Most Visionary Voices.' This is surrounded by smaller bubbles with icons symbolizing fashion, painting, architecture, photography, theater, film, literature, and music, collectively representing Austria's diverse creative landscape. Photo: © Fashion.at generated with Imagen, Google AI Studio |