Thick oil paintings over acrylic paintings creates a simple yet confusing hesitation in Michael Ottersen's recent geometric abstractions.  Their multiple contradictions stem from how they seem hellbent upon producing the physical appearance of object-ness while completely content with just being an illusion.  Shapes attempt to produce a discoverable point of reference, but it is through memory and reflection that steers the task to completion.  The bold and slightly--sometimes very-- off color palette combined with the cake icing brushwork makes these paintings seem familiar and fun, however there is always the suspicion that what is unseen is somehow more important.  Perhaps it is, or perhaps the titles are more important as some of the world's smallest poems and they just need a place to hang.  Deeper still, one wonders if the real purpose of these works is to begin asking the questions that may never receive a definitive answer.

 

Michael Ottersen lives in Seattle Washington and has shown often in New York City, most recently at Feature Inc.  Locally his work has been seen at Bellevue Art Museum, Gallery 4Culture and Soil.  He received his BFA in painting from Tyler School of Art at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. SEASON is honored to present Mr. Ottersen's first solo show in Seattle since 2004.

 

Please contact robert@season.cz with questions or to purchase artwork.