Bernie Rothauer
Bernie Rothauer was born and raised in Salzburg and works as an artist in the fields of music and photography. Since 1989, he has worked independently as a musician, producer and label founder (ôbaxé-music). He has performed on stage with international stars and devoted himself intensively to West African, Brazilian and Cuban rhythms, and more recently, Greek and Klezmer. For him, rhythm, expression, and atmosphere are not theoretical concepts, but lived practice.
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Photography has been a part of his life ever since he was a child. His father's darkroom was his first creative space. Since the 2010s, photography has become an independent artistic pursuit: operating under the name "ôbaxé_arts," he describes his work as "artistic photography with soul".
People lie at the heart of his visual language. Whether he is taking portraits or capturing sensual scenes, Rothauer is not seeking the perfect image, but rather the perfect moment. He is interested in presence and what happens between two breaths. His photographs are not intended to please, but to move. 'The eyes are the gateway to the soul' – for Rothauer, this is more than just a cliché; it is an attitude.
Rothauer has a clear approach, particularly when it comes to sensual photography. For him, the focus is not on striking eroticism, provocation or superficial stimuli. What is crucial is treating each other with respect. Trust is the foundation of any collaboration, particularly when vulnerability is revealed. To Rothauer, sensuality means openness, depth and courage, as well as sadness and the desire to enjoy the moment. It is about feelings for which there are no words.
His images, often rendered in expressive black and white, rely on strong contrasts, precise lighting, and a calm, focused visual style. Shadows sculpt bodies, gazes tell stories, and gestures look like frozen music. As a musician, Rothauer thinks in terms of rhythm and tension, a quality that is also evident in his photographs.
In addition to portrait and nude photography, he devotes himself to architectural motifs and documentary work. An important milestone was his 2025 exhibition, "Salzburg ist bunt" (Salzburg is colorful), at the Stadtgalerie Rathaus Salzburg, for which he photographed the city's queer community. His haunting black-and-white photographs revealed diversity, individuality, and realities of life beyond common clichés. Further exhibitions, including those at the Leica Gallery Salzburg and the Bronx Studios, highlight his ongoing photographic evolution.
Bernie Rothauer is not a traditional photographer—he is a total artist. In his work, music, images, rhythm, and encounters flow together.
[ Text 10Photos ]
10Fotos says: Bernie Rothauer's photographs are pure expression. You can sense his artistic background and musical sensibility, as well as his search for depth. His images are not loud but intense. They are not pleasing, but honest. In the field of sensual photography especially, he finds a balance between aesthetics, respect, and emotional tension that transcends common clichés. His work has attitude and soul.
You can find more pictures and information about Bernie Rothauer on his website, www.obaxe-music.com and Facebook. Bernie's music can be heard on the following platforms: YouTube, Bandcamp and iTunnes.
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