Arie Otten (born in 1954) is a self-taught artist from Apeldoorn, Netherlands, whose work spans a vast array of abstract disciplines. Known for his bold, experimental spirit, Otten blends various techniques and materials, including acrylics, oils, and organic pigments, to create his unique pieces. His process is rooted in spontaneity, often starting with a blank canvas or panel and allowing the artwork to unfold through exploration. Human experiences often serve as inspiration, with recurring depictions of faces and abstract landscapes. Otten’s work reveals a rich imagination, filled with enigmatic and thought-provoking impressions.
In November 2024, Otten will be showcasing a new series of paintings at Art Mumbai, with Vedica Art Studios and Gallery, directed by Siddhant Khattri, representing his work. The exhibition will feature five paintings on prepared Italian paper, with other potential works still pending confirmation.
One of the highlighted works is titled It’s Not Just Blue, created in 2021. The piece incorporates an unusual mix of materials: prepared Italian paper, gesso, acrylic paint, ashes, blood, and pigment. The inclusion of blood, a natural pigment historically used by Old Masters like Rembrandt, lends the painting a sense of both tradition and experimentation. Despite its modest size—30 x 42 cm—the painting has a depth and complexity that belies its dimensions. Otten views this work as a symbol of his commitment to artistic freedom, using unconventional materials to craft new textures and evoke emotional responses. For him, it’s not just about the subject but how the materials themselves become part of the story.
Another work set to be exhibited is Paradise, a large-scale piece on linen, measuring 200 x 200 cm. The artwork is stretched over an aluminum frame and contains layers of acrylic paint, sand, fabric, and oil paint, all heavily pigmented. As is typical of Otten’s process, the painting began with no fixed idea or concept, gradually taking shape through an organic flow of creativity. The result, a warm, inviting composition, led Otten to think of how paradise is often imagined—a place full of love and beauty. However, he leaves the ultimate interpretation of Paradise to the viewer, giving them space to create their own narrative. Otten embraces ambiguity and finds joy in how his works can spark diverse reactions from those who encounter them.
In addition to his paintings, Otten has ventured into sculpture. One of his more personal works is The Blue Dog with the Red Balls and the Green Tail, a tribute to his current dog, a Galgo from Spain. Otten adopted the dog, originally named Azur due to the blue glow of his fur in the sunlight, from a shelter when he was 14 months old. Due to Otten’s long-term struggle with Lyme disease, he had trouble remembering the dog’s name and began calling him Bas, a name shared by two previous pets. This bond between artist and animal became the foundation for this playful yet meaningful sculpture.
The sculpture, made of steel and painted in Ultramarine blue acrylic with extra pigment, is adorned with red fabric balls and green beads. Each element carries symbolic meaning—the red balls reference the dog’s neutering, while the green tail represents their daily walks in the forest. The piece measures 14 x 7 x 20 cm, and the cube it sits on is slightly larger at 20 x 20 x 21 cm. The playful and personal nature of The Blue Dog invites viewers to connect with the artist’s life and his connection with the natural world around him.
This sculpture was exhibited at The Noise Media Art Fair in Vienna in September 2024, part of a larger contemporary art event. It highlights Otten’s philosophy of merging personal stories with experimental techniques, allowing the process and materials to be as important as the narrative behind the piece.
With more exhibitions planned in the near future, Arie Otten’s body of work continues to evolve. His art invites viewers into a world of endless possibility, where abstract forms and deeply personal symbols come together to challenge conventional thinking and open up new realms of imagination. Otten remains dedicated to pushing boundaries, offering a window into his creative world that is always shifting, growing, and surprising.
