ART SPACE MONGOLIA features OtGO’s ‘Blue’
The
winner of Grand Prix of the International Biennale of the Painting
Chisinau – 2015, artist Otgonbayar Ershuu is presenting his works in
his independent exhibition “Blue” at ART SPACE MONGOLIA Gallery in
Shangri-La Centre until September 1. Known as to the world as OtGO,
Otgonbayar is promoting Mongolia to the world with his art works.
Living in between Berlin, Zurich and Ulaanbaatar, Otgo has already
marked his name to the world with his works.
The following is the brief
discussion of his art works with reporter of “Unuudur” Daily newspaper
Erdenetsetseg:
One of your famous series of artworks “Roaring Hoofs”
are on display. One color-oriented, the paintings look unfinished. Why
is that?
I was commented many times that when one look at them for the
first time, they have an impression that paintings are one-color
oriented and unfinished. But it is not. Initially, the main depiction
of “Roaring Hoofs” were horses. Then in the long run, the context of
the paintings has been enlarged and the expression of the whole series
paintings were featuring the art work’s context. Lately, I have
been testing gold powder mix in my paints. Now I have defined my
general technique upon long-term experiment and research. I am planning
paint with gold powder tint mix. The paintings on display also were
created with such technique and that’s its color looks unusual. The
technique to use gold flakes in paintings is inherited from the ancient
times. As for me, I chose to work with gold dust/powder.
Your paintings
depict the motion of human beings in ample ways. What did you want to
express with motion of people among birds and animals?
Intending to
depict that every single human being has extraordinary features and are
unique natures on their own, I painted them doing different motions.
The reason that the painting has no beginning or ending, and
illustrates nude people, is that I wanted to tell the truth with it. A
man comes to the world naked and leaves naked. In my exhibition
presented in 2012, I exhibited the paintings that I played with many
bright colors. This time, I am presenting my modest and one color
oriented works. The transmutation of colors in my work maybe express
and individual’s change. BlueOne of OTGO's unique characteristics is to
paint his depictions directly on the canvas thereby evading the process
of sketching. It is absolutely remarkable in which precise and loving
detail Otgonbayar Ershuu fills his canvases. Lively, colorful
depictions of paradise, erotica and flocks of horses mesmerize his
pictorial surfaces into imaginative compositions, capture and challenge
to explore the world of miniature paintings. Otgonbayar Ershuu has
created detailed paintings in breathtaking filigree in tempera on
canvas. His newest works present a whole new world of creation. The
young artist composed a fascinating coexistence of detailed miniature
painting and active abstraction of picture elements in acrylic on
canvas. He grew up among seven siblings was fascinated by painting ever
since his childhood. His talent was discovered and by the age of 15
years he had his own solo exhibitions. From 1996 to 1998 Otgonbayar
studied "traditional Mongolian painting" in Ulaanbaatar and received
his degree as a painter. Feeling a deep connection with his home
country, he decided to learn the craft of Mongolian miniature painting.
There was, however, no course of study in this subject, and he acquired
the skill within a six-year period of auto-didactic study. During the
years 1998 and 2004, Otgonbayar traveled to Mongolia's historic sites
and took part in numerous cultural and social projects. During his
academic studies he created around 400 pictures. After his studies he
participated in several expeditions to historical sites in Mongolia as
a painter and conservator. Otgonbayar studied the different techniques
and iconography of the miniature paintings as well as their spiritual
backgrounds at the Buddhist-lamaist monasteries. He has been active as
a free lance artist since 1998. In addition to his free artistic works
he has created around 600 "research images." Ershuu has been living in
Berlin since 2005. From 2007 to 2010 he studied at the Institute for
Art in Context, Faculty of Fine Arts, Berlin University of the Arts and
graduated with a Masters of Arts in 2010. Otgonbayar Ershuu has been
exhibiting his work in international exhibitions in Japan, Sweden,
France, the Netherlands, India, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Poland,
Romania, Germany, Moldova and Mongolia.
