Reinhold Drugowitsch, ein Fuchs der Freude?
It takes a form of magic to be content; to be pleased with all the small, insignificant things that life presents to you. Through this happiness, this love for both the world and its inhabitants, an unbelievably strong energy is created and released, motivating and infecting everyone within the perimeters of this sphere. Reinhold Drugowitsch ('Drugo') has this effect on people.
Drugo is comparable to a treasure hunter – he seeks out and collects simple pleasures from everyday life. He sees beauty in objects and things that people would normally glance over and not pay any attention to. Drugo's philosophy since childhood has been 'slow-living', and as a result of this, he takes the time to seek out the diamond in everything and savour each and every moment. For there lies the adventure!
Drugo was born in Klagenfurt, Austria on February 10th, 1934. He attended primary and secondary school in Bleiburg, a place that later proved to be of great inspiration to him. 'Bleiburger Wiesenmarkt' is a theme that features in much of his work to date, and an annual occasion that he recalls with very fond memories. The events during this festival have influenced his life and inspired him in a very positive way.
Following school, he was already mesmerized by both art and painting, however given the prospects of making a living through his art, he decided on the more secure route of stonemasonary. He completed his apprenticeship and went on to do a mastership, all the while continuing to develop his own style of art on the side.
In 1963, Drugo moved to Tirol where he started his own stonemason business, got married and started a family. He could also establish himself as an inventor, with several patents to his name.
In 1976 he stopped stonemason work for health reasons and started to teach sculpture at the technical college in Innsbruck. He relished sharing his enjoyment and enthusiasm for the art form with his co-workers and students.
Drugo still resides in Tirol, but has since retired from his teaching post and now produces his art full-time. He loves to spend time alone, something that happens a lot in this line of work, but he is very contemplative and as such, has a very active mind. He loves to spend his time outside of the studio reading, walking in the woods nearby, playing cards with his friends, browsing flea markets, listening to classical music on his gramophone, playing the violin and gardening - all the time finding new inspiration and beautiful, simple treasures. Art surrounds his life and he fills his life with art. This is a very peaceful and beautiful way to live and something that he is fully content with.
'Wolves live in packs, foxes live alone' – this is a saying that Drugo uses to describe himself, and it is very befitting as even though he is not shy, he prefers his own company. His smile, the twinkle in his eye, his laugh and his sense of childhood wonderment is something that would melt even the coldest of hearts, and wherever he goes, light and laughter follow. This also shows in his art. It is these personality traits that make Drugo such a unique figure in the world today and a stark reminder to each one of us that we should not take anything for granted, for life is too short.
In 1993 he received first prize for graphics in the art competition for 'Tiroler Roehren-und Metallwerke' in Hall, Tirol.
Exhibitions:
1995 Maretsch Castle, Bolzano, Italy
1997 Pierer–Klinik Innsbruck, Austria
1997 Graphic Stromboli, Hall, Austria
2000 Burg-Hasegg, Hall, Austria
2002 Mils Castle, Austria
2002 Burg-Hasegg, Hall, Austria
