Otto Eder

_{Seeboden 1924 - 1982 Seeboden}

Otto Eder was born in Seeboden, near the Millstättersee in Carinthia, in 1924. In 1941, he began his studies at the School of Arts and Crafts in Villach. From 1942 to 1945, Eder was severely wounded three times in combat. In 1948, he enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts to the master’s class of Fritz Wotruba. After ongoing conflicts and difficulties with his teacher, he left the Academy once and for all in 1952. In 1960, the first exhibition of his works took place in the Griechenbeisl gallery. In 1964, Eder became an ordinary member of the Vienna Secession. In the following years, the Viennese municipality purchased several of Eder’s sculptures. In 1971, Eder established an artist’s centre in Krastal, Carinthia. The following years are only moderately successful and characterized by existential angst, illness and depression. In August of 1982, Otto Eder took his own life.