Otto
Zitko
Austrian artist Otto Zitko has redefined the boundaries of drawing and painting with his monumental, gestural works that often engulf entire spaces. If you're looking for Otto Zitko original prints and editions for sale or would like to sell, request a complimentary valuation and browse our network's most in-demand works.
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Biography
Otto Zitko emerged as a significant figure in the Contemporary Art scene in the late 1980s, distinguishing himself through his unique approach to drawing and painting. Born in Linz, Austria, in 1959, Zitko studied at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna from 1977 to 1982, where he began to develop his bold, energetic visual language.
Zitko's work is characterised by its expansive nature, often covering entire walls, ceilings, and floors of exhibition spaces. His practice revolves around the concept of drawing as a form of painting, creating a continuous line that seems to flow endlessly across surfaces. This approach has led to Zitko being recognised as a pioneer in redefining the boundaries between drawing and painting in Contemporary Art.
The artist's work is not confined to traditional canvases or paper. Instead, Zitko embraces a variety of surfaces, including aluminium panels, walls, and even entire architectural spaces. This versatility allows him to create immersive environments that challenge viewers' perceptions of space and form.
Throughout his career, Zitko has consistently pushed the boundaries of his practice. In the early 1990s, he began to focus on large-scale works, moving away from canvas paintings to create expansive drawings that engulfed entire rooms.
Zitko's process is both physical and meditative. He uses oil sticks or paint rollers to create his signature continuous lines, which can stretch for hundreds of metres. The resulting works are a testament to the artist's ability to respond intuitively to the spaces he works in.
In 1996, Zitko was awarded the prestigious Monsignor Otto Mauer Prize, recognising his significant contribution to Contemporary Art. This was followed by the City of Vienna Award for Fine Arts in 2004, further cementing his status as a leading figure in the Austrian art scene.
Zitko's printmaking reflects the intense, gestural energy seen in his large-scale works that span entire spaces. His linocut, Untitled (1998), is a prime example of his ability to translate his dynamic line work into a more contained medium. The print features a large, dense black circle that dominates the composition, surrounded by swirling, scrawled lines. Created with expressive strokes, these lines resemble the loops and gestures that characterise his immersive wall drawings. The linocut's raw energy and bold simplicity showcase Zitko's talent for transforming gestural marks into visual experiences that engage with the viewer's perception of form and space.
Zitko's work has been exhibited in numerous prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Arnolfini in Bristol, the Kunsthalle Krems in Austria, and the Brno House of Arts in the Czech Republic. His ability to transform spaces through his art has led to several notable permanent installations, including a wall piece in the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Berlin in 2001.