After his father’s death, the relationship August Walla had with his mother became fused. Weak and defenseless, unable to adapt to school, he was admitted to a specialized institute. At age 9, he experienced a terrifying event: he lost sleep for three months. Seven years later, he threatened to hang himself and set fire to the attic of his home. He was then interned from 1952 to 1957 and diagnosed with schizophrenia. In 1970, he was admitted to Gugging Psychiatric Hospital, where he seemed to find peace.
Becoming a resident of the Haus der Künstler in 1986, he launched into all-encompassing artistic activity. He completely covered the walls and ceiling of his room with mythical figures—gods, demons, saints, prophets, thaumaturges—and enigmatic symbols. He collected objects from trash bins and streets, giving them new life by covering them with inscriptions. He collected foreign-language dictionaries and invented new words, combining them as his imagination dictated. Everything he created served as a talisman with protective power.
WALLA augus
