Artist Spotlight: Interview With Angel Otero

Kavi Gupta

835 W. Washington Blvd.

Chicago IL 60607
Tue - Fri, 10 am- 6 pm
Sat 11 am - 5 pm
(312) 432-0708
www.kavigupta.com

Artist Angel Otero, who lives and works in Chicago and New York, explores memories and personal history in his richly textured, abstract paintings. Otero, who earned his MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, has shown his work in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. His new show, which runs through November 12 at the Kavi Gupta Gallery, investigates the process of painting. Otero recently chatted with CBSChicago.com about his art.

CBSChicago.com: How did you start using oil paint skins?

Angel Otero: The use of oil paint skins started more as a necessity or as a recycling approach rather than a strategic idea. I kept lots of oil paint that was scraped off paintings I didn't like. Oil paint being so expensive, I didn't have the guts to throw it way, so I reused it.

CBSChicago.com: How do you create the paintings?

AO: They are oil paintings made on glass. The resulting thick layer of oil paint is scraped out of the glass and eventually collaged on a canvas.

CBSChicago.com: How does this play with traditional painting?

AO: I think it challenges and at the same time exalts the traditional methods of painting. All the paintings start in a very traditional way - oil paint, brushes, mediums, etc. Eventually, the scraping process takes place, converting the medium from a two-sided thing to a three-dimensional medium.

CBSChicago.com: How would you describe the process behind making one of your works?

AO: The process takes place in various stages over the course of days to weeks, depending on the circumstances. A painting is made over the glass, then covered with more layers of paint, and then is put to dry. After the right amount of dryness is achieved, we scrape the resulting thick layer of glass, and then it's collaged on a stretched canvas.

CBSChicago.com: How would you describe your upcoming show? Is there anything about your new works that marks a departure or change from previous works?

AO: This show at Kavi Gupta Gallery is all about painting and its processes. It is going to mostly frame my process with the oil skins and its outcome. My work starts from very personal imagery. However, this time I'm not looking for a narrative. I want people to see the results of my own dilemmas and or "struggles" about painting. I'm thinking more of how to make paintings than what to paint.

CBSChicago.com: What do you do when you're not making art?

AO: I'm pretty much always making art - if not then I'm reading or watching a good film.