BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors
Klocker Museum
A Collection Of Modern and Contemporary Art in Hall in Tyrol, Austria
The Klocker Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is located in the picturesque Austrian town of Hall in Tirol, nestled in a medieval setting. Opened in 2022, the museum showcases pieces from the Klocker family's private collection alongside works by contemporary artists within an international context.
The origins of the Klocker Collection trace back to Wolfgang Klocker, the son of Emmy and Hans Klocker, successful owners of a car dealership. Wolfgang Klocker developed a passion for two disciplines early in life: aviation and art. While pursuing the family business, he dedicated his leisure time and resources to collecting artworks, which now form the foundation of the Klocker Collection.
Starting from 1960, Wolfgang Klocker cultivated a deep interest in art and formed close bonds with Tyrolean artists like Paul Flora, Max Weiler, and numerous emerging artists of his era. He initiated his first art acquisitions in the mid-1960s and from 1972 onwards, regularly exhibited contemporary Tyrolean artists at his father's car showroom. Tragically, Wolfgang Klocker's life was cut short by a plane crash on August 2, 1974. His mother, Emmy Klocker, continued her son's passion for art by furthering his collection efforts, focusing primarily on Austrian art from 1945 onward, but without a specific artistic agenda.
In 1998, she established the Komm. Rat Dr Hans Klocker and Dr Wolfgang Klocker Foundation with the primary aim of honouring the memory of her husband and son through the promotion of art, as well as establishing a Dr. Wolfgang Klocker Museum. The Klocker Foundation Art Prize is the main instrument for promoting art in accordance with the wishes of the founder Emmy Klocker and is the most highly funded art prize in Austria. It was awarded for the first time in September 2014 and has since been awarded alternately as the main prize and an advancement prize.
The Klocker Foundation Art Prize recognizes living artists who have significantly influenced Austrian art, with a special emphasis on Tyrolean artists. Each award includes an exhibition and the acquisition or publication of the artist's work. Past recipients of the main Klocker Foundation Art Prize include Martha Jungwirth (2016), Ernst Caramelle (2022), and Christine Ljubanović (2023).
In the past, female positions in the collection tended to be given less attention, which the advisory committee appointed by the foundation has systematically corrected in recent years. Works by artists such as Martha Jungwirth, Florentina Pakosta, Esther Stocker, and Brigitte Kowanz were prominently featured in the initial presentation of the collection at the Klocker Museum from March 26, 2022, to May 27, 2023.
The permanent collection is complemented by temporary exhibitions, which showcase international positions alongside themed group exhibitions. The Klocker family's collection now comprises more than 1,200 works and is constantly growing through targeted acquisitions and donations of art, mainly by Austrian artists.
The museum's commitment to diversity in its exhibitions reflects a broader effort to enrich the cultural landscape of Hall in Tirol and beyond. By showcasing a wide range of artistic voices and perspectives, the Klocker Museum aims to foster dialogue and appreciation for contemporary art while honoring its rich historical context.