„Why not?“ is the only plausible answer to this question.

In a time of global seduction, Klaus Mueller has resisted all „well-intended“ advice of contemporaries as well as pats on the back by others. He did not comply with an obliging art, adjusting to the superficial general spirit of our time. The spirit of Klaus Mueller´s art is neither a superficial realism nor a compulsive „want-to-be-different“ one. If today Klaus Mueller produces exactly HIS kind of art, this is truly done not by accident, but in a well-planned, conscious step by a self-sufficient artist’s personality.

Klaus Mueller´s dedication to the world of art seemed to be pre-determined even in his early childhood years, appearing with a strong will to create and shape, combined with his strong individual personality, which always tried to find ways to help that creative will prevail and succeed. Without underestimating, the fleeting affection for other, more „technical“ fields of interest during his youth, along with the preoccupation with the world of ancient philosophy, the artist laid the foundations for the carefully chosen morphology of his art production.

The environment in Melk, with the presence of the most significant level of culture and art, served perfectly as a motivation for Klaus Mueller’s own artistic activities. By the age of 21, the last hurdles of craftsmanship were completed, those which were avoided by the old masters themselves in the well-adjusted training and education structures of their time.

„One paints with the brain, not with the hands!“ This utterance by Michelangelo Buonarroti, one of the great geniuses of all time, crystallized the point centuries ago: Art is always the physically formed ending point of an intellectual process. At the same time, art also means the overcoming of physical barriers and limitations of this earthly world, by providing transitions to other spheres of existence. A piece of art has always been and still is a key to a different world that far exceeds the limitations of the earthly. This is also clearly shown by the association of art and religion ever since. Because art inevitably is created by humans within this physical world, it must reflect itself legibly into the same physical world, in order to reach the human being again in the end. Otherwise, it would lose its purpose for the human being regarding the intended meaning. Art that does not achieve this, becomes insignificant.

Especially in our highly technical time, a work of art is quite an interesting thing for the knowledgeable - despite some, who want art and science to be divided. In the upcoming society of „information“, the creative human resources will be one of the determining components. Creativity and artistic activities have been, are and will always be connected with the demand to subjugate the world in a creative sense, toward a human civilization. Spiritual realities denying materialism always result in inhumanity.

No matter which culture, in whatever time, and no matter what kind of individual appearance, the nature of art has one thing in common: It is the absoluteness, the relentless, radiant power, that does not let itself be limited to any fashion, style or -ism. That is always nothing more than a handle to grasp the thing. This universal absoluteness in regard to the human existence is what makes the essence of any great piece of art. No matter how much time has passed since its creation nor how the physical surrounding has changed, its power remains inviolate.

Art in its meaning can only be created through individuals who are certain that the existence in this world is not the ultimate wisdom. But only one who perfectly masters his craft, is able to use this tool to convey transcendental ideas. It is the same with great pieces of art as with nature: Whoever failed to experience a supernatural moment, like standing overawed in front of the full moon, under the shining Milky Way? There may be such people, to whom all that means nothing. They may be the ones who prefer art to be different, an art that reflects only this limited material reality. How poor must such people be. And how obvious, that all kinds of drugs are needed to tolerate and cope with such a spiritual emptiness.

Spirit without matter does not live in an earthly sense. Spirit without an artistic, creative shape does not get recognized. Matter that becomes meaningless gets converted. A dead body changes into dust. Forms of art without meaning and spirit continue to be converted into new ones.

These lines were written with the knowledge, that art in its meaning can only be created or experienced. The attempt to put this knowledge into words is bound to remain imperfect.

In his future life and subsequent work, Klaus Mueller seeks to prevail in the endeavour of showing timeless truth in both the animate and inanimate world. You are welcome to accompany the artist on this journey.