Georg Malin

Georg Malin (born 8 February 1926) is an artist, sculptor, historian, and former politician from Liechtenstein who served as a government councillor from 1974 to 1978. A member of the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), he previously served as a member of the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1966 to 1974. His artistry work has included busts and interior designs for churches, along with watercolours and post stamp design. The newspaper Liechtensteiner Vaterland noted him as "one of Liechtenstein's most important artists". Spending his early years working as a plasterer, Georg attended the Disentis Abbey before studying history, art history, and philosophy in Zurich and Fribourg; he graduated in 1952 with a Doctor of Philosophy on a thesis about the political history of Liechtenstein from 1800 to 1815. At the same time, he also conducted an apprenticeship with sculptor in Zurich from 1947 to 1949.

Malin's works as an artist have included interior and furniture designs, such as for parish churches in Schellenberg, Ruggell, Mauren, Vaduz, Switzerland, and Austria. His works have been noted for its abstractive and constructivist design, which while generally well-received, has also attracted criticism, particularly for his liturgical furniture. He co-founded the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, and was its first curator from 1968 to 1996; he worked in procuring various art collections for the museum. In 2016, to mark his 90th birthday, Malin was the subject of a joint publication by the Liechtenstein Institute, Historical Association for the Principality of Liechtenstein (HVFL), and Liechtenstein art societies. In addition, the Kunstmuseum presented an exhibition dedicated to his work.

Historian and political career In January 1951, Malin, alongside Gerard Batliner and Felix Marxer, founded the Liechtenstein Academic Society; Malin served as the society's president from 1954 to 1955 and again in 1966, becoming an honorary member in 2002. He was a board member of the HVFL from 1955 to 1996.

Malin was a member of the Monument Protection Commission, co-founded the Liechtenstein Art Society in 1975, was president of the Liechtenstein Matura Commission from 1981 to 1988, and finally was president of the Switzerland-Liechtenstein Society from 1984 to 1986. In this position, Malin held the roles of environment and culture.

Personal life Malin married Berty Ziegler (6 April 1926 – 21 January 2021), the sister of Swiss theologian Albert Ziegler, on 14 July 1956; they had six children.