VALIE EXPORT feminist art icon dies at 85

Pioneering Feminist Artist VALIE EXPORT Dies Days Before 86th Birthday

Vienna, Austria — May 14, 2026

Summary

VALIE EXPORT, the groundbreaking Austrian feminist artist known for provocative works like "Tapp- und Tastkino," has died at 85. Her radical performances in the 1960s and 70s redefined gender politics in art.

Vienna, Austria — May 14, 2026

VALIE EXPORT, the trailblazing Austrian artist whose radical feminist works challenged societal norms and inspired generations, died on May 14, 2026, just days before her 86th birthday.

Provocative Works That Redefined Art

VALIE EXPORT became a central figure in feminist art through boundary-pushing performances that interrogated power dynamics and bodily autonomy. Her 1968 piece "Tapp- und Tastkino" ("Tap and Touch Cinema") invited audiences to touch her bare breasts inside a miniature curtained box strapped to her torso—a direct critique of voyeurism and objectification in media.

Equally controversial was her "Aktionshose Genitalpanik" ("Action Pants: Genital Panic"), where she walked through a Munich cinema wearing crotchless trousers, forcing viewers to confront their discomfort with female sexuality. These works, alongside collaborations like leading artist Peter Weibel on a leash through Vienna streets in "Aus der Mappe der Hundigkeit" ("From the Portfolio of Doggishness"), cemented her reputation as a fearless provocateur.

Legacy as a Feminist Icon

EXPORT’s influence extended far beyond Austria, shaping global feminist discourse in visual art, film, and performance. Born Waltraud Lehner in Linz, she adopted her pseudonym—a play on "export" and a cigarette brand—to reject patriarchal naming conventions. Her work at the Kunstuniversität Linz and international exhibitions amplified her theoretical contributions to body politics and media critique.