Michael Venezia
In Memoriam Michael Venezia (1935-2025)

Exhibition:
, 0000 – ,  

A Visionary of Minimalism

Häusler Contemporary mourns the passing of Michael Venezia, a pioneering figure in contemporary art, who died June 3, 2025 at the age of 89. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1935, Venezia was instrumental in redefining the boundaries of painting during the transformative art movements of the 1960s and beyond.

Educated under Peter Busa at the State University College of New York in Buffalo, Venezia emerged as a central figure among artists such as Dan Flavin, Sol LeWitt, and Robert Ryman. Together, they sought to move beyond the gestural excesses of Abstract Expressionism, favoring a more restrained and conceptual approach to art.


In the late 1960s, Venezia introduced the use of the spray gun in his paintings, a technique that allowed him to eliminate the personal touch of the brushstroke and embrace a more impersonal application of color. This innovation led to his renowned «Spray Paintings», characterized by bands of color applied to canvases in a manner that emphasized the materiality of paint and the process of its application. Later, he developed his signature «Bar Paintings», utilising long, narrow wooden beams as supports, further blurring the lines between painting and sculpture.

Venezia's work has been exhibited extensively, with solo exhibitions at institutions such as the Kunstmuseum Winterthur, the Dia Center for the Arts, and the Josef Albers Museum in Bottrop. His pieces are part of esteemed collections worldwide, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Kunsthaus Zürich, and the National Gallery of Canada.

Häusler Contemporary had the privilege of collaborating with Michael Venezia on several exhibitions, most recently «The Future Covers the Past» in 2022, which showcased both new works and seminal pieces from his early career. His commitment to exploring the interplay between color, form, and space has left an indelible mark on the art world.

Michael Venezia is survived by his family and a legacy that continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike. His innovative spirit and dedication to the evolution of painting will be deeply missed.

With deepest respect and sympathy,
Wolfgang and Christa Häusler
and Häusler Contemporary Team

For further information and press material please contact: sk@haeusler-contemporary.com