Arie Otten (1954) is a self-taught visual artist based in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. His art is a captivating journey through the realms of abstract painting, embracing a diverse range of disciplines. With unwavering passion and a spirit of artistic freedom, Otten fearlessly experiments with an array of techniques and materials, including acrylics, oils, and organic pigments. Starting with a blank canvas or panel, he embarks on a creative odyssey, allowing his ideas to take shape through experimentation. Otten’s work frequently delves into the human experience, where faces emerge as compelling subjects. Additionally, he crafts abstracted landscapes and other enigmatic impressions, evoking a world of boundless imagination.
A new series of Otten’s work will be exhibited at Art Mumbai from November 14 to 17, 2024. This exhibition, hosted by Vedica Art Studios and Gallery, led by Mr. Siddhant Khattri, will showcase five of Otten’s paintings on prepared Italian paper. While there may be additional works included, the specifics are yet to be confirmed.
One of the featured pieces is titled It’s Not Just Blue, created in 2021. The painting is made using a combination of unique materials: prepared Italian paper, gesso, acrylic paint, ashes, blood, and extra pigment. The inclusion of blood in the piece is a deliberate nod to the techniques of the Old Masters, such as Rembrandt, who also used natural pigments in their work. The use of blood adds both historical and emotional depth to the painting, connecting it to traditions of classical art while emphasizing Otten’s commitment to experimentation. The painting is relatively small, measuring 30 x 42 cm, unframed, but it carries a significant weight in terms of its symbolic use of materials and free expression in art. Otten sees these paintings as an exploration of artistic freedom, particularly in the way materials are combined to bring forth new textures and meanings.
Another of Otten’s recent works, titled Paradise, is a large-scale painting on linen, measuring 200 x 200 cm. It’s set on an aluminum frame and incorporates a mixture of acrylic paint, sand, fabric, and oil paint, with an abundance of extra pigment. As with many of his works, Otten starts with no fixed concept, allowing the painting to evolve as he works. The final composition of Paradise, with its warm and inviting colors, led Otten to reflect on the concept of paradise as a beautiful and loving environment. The painting, like much of his work, invites the viewer to interpret its meaning freely, creating a shared experience of contemplation and imagination. Otten embraces this lack of fixed interpretation, preferring to leave the final impression up to the viewer’s own experience.
In addition to his paintings, Otten also creates sculptures, with one of his more personal works being The Blue Dog with the Red Balls and the Green Tail. This sculpture is a tribute to his current dog, a Spanish Galgo he adopted from a shelter. The dog’s original name was Azur, due to the blue sheen in his fur when illuminated by sunlight. However, because of his long battle with Lyme disease, Otten could not recall the dog’s name and began calling him Bas, which was already a familiar name for him, having named two of his previous dogs Bas as well. This playful connection between his illness, memory, and the companionship of his dog is reflected in the sculpture.
The materials used in The Blue Dog sculpture are an eclectic mix of steel, Ultramarine blue acrylic paint, red fabric balls, and green beads. The blue color references his dog’s unique fur, while the red balls represent the fact that the dog was neutered when Otten adopted him. The green tail symbolizes their daily walks through the forest. The sculpture measures 14 x 7 x 20 cm for the dog itself, while the cube on which it sits is 20 x 20 x 21 cm. The use of color and material in the sculpture adds a personal and whimsical touch, as Otten captures the essence of his dog’s personality and their shared experiences.
This sculpture was recently exhibited at The Noise Media Art Fair in Vienna, part of the larger Contemporary Art Fairheld in September 2024. It exemplifies Otten’s approach to art, where personal experiences and experimental materials come together to form unique expressions. His work, whether on canvas or in sculpture, continues to challenge traditional forms, blending abstract techniques with deep emotional resonance.
With exhibitions planned across various international venues, Otten’s work offers viewers a glimpse into his imaginative and ever-evolving creative world.
