Austrian Artist Valie Export Dies

May 14, 2026, 22:46
EuropeCulture

Introduction

Valie Export was a famous artist from Austria. She died in Vienna. She was 85 years old.

Main Body

Valie Export was born in 1940. She changed her name to Valie Export when she was 27. She wanted a new name for her art. She studied art in Vienna. She made art about women's bodies. She wanted to show that women are people, not objects. Some people did not like her art and were angry. But later, many people liked her work. She was a teacher for ten years in Germany. She also showed her art in big shows in Italy. In 2015, a city in Austria opened a center for her art.

Conclusion

Valie Export was a very important artist. Her work changed how people think about women in art.

Learning

🕰️ Talking about the Past

In this story, we see one very important word used over and over: was.

When we talk about a person's life or a finished state in the past, we use was.

Examples from the text:

  • She was 85 years old.
  • Valie Export was a famous artist.
  • She was a teacher.

🛠️ Action Words (Past Tense)

Notice how the words for actions change to show they happened a long time ago. Most of them just add -ed at the end.

  • Change →\rightarrow Changed
  • Want →\rightarrow Wanted
  • Study →\rightarrow Studied

Compare: Today: I study art. →\rightarrow Past: She studied art.

📍 Where and Who

To reach A2, you need to connect people to places using in:

  • Person + in + Place
  • She died in Vienna.
  • She was a teacher in Germany.
  • She showed her art in Italy.

Vocabulary Learning

artist (n.)
A person who creates art
Example:She is an artist who paints beautiful pictures.
famous
well-known or widely recognized
Example:The famous singer performed at the concert.
died (v.)
To stop living
Example:The old man died peacefully at home.
artist
a person who creates art
Example:She is an artist who paints landscapes.
born (adj.)
Existing from birth
Example:He was born in 1940.
died
passed away
Example:He died peacefully in his sleep.
changed (v.)
Made different
Example:She changed her name to Valie Export.
Vienna
capital city of Austria
Example:Vienna is known for its beautiful music.
name (n.)
A word that identifies a person
Example:What is your name?
changed
made different
Example:The weather changed from sunny to rainy.
wanted (v.)
Desired
Example:She wanted a new name for her art.
name
word or words by which a person is identified
Example:What is your name?
new (adj.)
Not old, recently made
Example:She chose a new name.
studied
learned or investigated
Example:They studied the history of art.
art (n.)
Creative work
Example:She studied art in Vienna.
women
adult female humans
Example:Women often face many challenges.
studied (v.)
Learned about
Example:She studied art for many years.
bodies
physical parts of a person
Example:The museum displayed ancient bodies.
made (v.)
Created
Example:She made art about women's bodies.
objects
items that can be seen or touched
Example:The box contains many objects.
angry
feeling or showing annoyance
Example:She was angry when the game was cancelled.
show (n.)
A display of art
Example:She showed her art in big shows.
teacher
a person who teaches
Example:The teacher explained the lesson clearly.
people (n.)
Human beings
Example:Many people liked her work.
liked (v.)
Enjoyed
Example:People liked her paintings.
work (n.)
A job or creation
Example:Her work changed how people think.
teacher (n.)
Someone who teaches
Example:She was a teacher for ten years.
years (n.)
Units of time
Example:She taught for ten years.
city (n.)
A large town
Example:A city in Austria opened a center.
opened (v.)
Made open
Example:The city opened a new center.
center (n.)
A place for something
Example:The center displays her art.
important (adj.)
Having great value
Example:Her work was very important.
think (v.)
To use the mind
Example:People think differently after seeing her art.
angry (adj.)
Upset
Example:Some people were angry with her art.
big (adj.)
Large
Example:She showed her art in big shows.
women (n.)
Female human beings
Example:She made art about women's bodies.
body (n.)
The physical part of a person
Example:She painted women's bodies.
object (n.)
A thing that can be used or looked at
Example:She said women are people, not objects.