Justine Otto

I find it particularly exciting to explore the border between figuration and abstraction. My most recent works include figurative elements in addition to completely abstract passages. I like the contrast between complete detachment, where painting is completely free, unrestricted by the limitation of a (signifying) form – and figuration, in which ratio is predominant. I try to achieve this by varying the density of different techniques. Over the years I have developed a wide range of techniques from which I can now draw: there is spraying, wet-on-wet painting, taping, scraping, leveling out, dissolving all, stamping, working with various tools. I like it when dissimilar techniques come together and the entire object merges into a resonant image. There are no taboos. Being courageous and challenging oneself is part of what painting is for me.

Instagram: @ottojustine

Where would you like your work to take you?

Whenever I have set myself a firm goal in painting, it has turned out quite differently, because painting cannot be planned. I try to stay open and curious and the path then arises by itself.

Which part of your creative process do you enjoy most?

There are some phases in painting that I love. At the beginning, I love to mix the colors on the color palette. While I'm painting, there is a point at which I intuitively know how to proceed. However, this point is always very close to failure, which of course has something destructive at first, but from which an exhilarating freedom can also result.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

Nearly from everything... of course, there are phases in life where one or the other is more in the foreground. At the moment it's nature, why I spend a lot of time outside. I 'm fascinated by the abundance of all organic forms.

What piece of music would you say compliments your work the most?

Oh, it's not easy to limit that to one piece. It should be a mixture of Björks ‘Yoga’ and ‘Declare Independence’ plus ‘Can’t Stop’ from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, plus a pinch of ‘Twilight' from Elliott Smith and a shot of ‘Fourth Corner’ from Trixie Whitley

Can you list a couple other creatives/friends/people you look to for inspiration?

James Ensor, Cecily Brown, De Kooning, Albert Oehlen, Dana Schutz, Adam Lee, Gugliel Mocastelli, Wangechi Mutu, Anthony Cudahy, Jakub Hubalek, Daniel Pitin, James Owens, Ryan Weatherly, Galen Cheney, Daniel Richter, Louise Bonnet, Michael Mancari, Pieter Jennes, Laurent Proux, Fritz Bornstück, Alexander Harrison, Joshua Hagler, Alexander Tinei, Miguel Forster, Hieronymus Bosch, Picasso, Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Jules de Balincourt, Ralf Kokke, Christina Quarles, Robin Francesca Williams, Nicole Eisenman, Rinus van de Velde, Anna Bittersohl, Benjamin Spiers, Matt Bollinger, David Hockney, George Condo, Tomory Dodge, Cornelia Renz, Kristina Schuldt, David Altmejd, Pierre Knop, Anna Uddenberg, Bridge Mullen, Drie Chapek, Frank Auerbach, Danica Lundy, Kati Heck, Zsofia Keresztes, Magnus Plessen, Emma Webster, Gagyi Botond, Hernan Bas, Dennis Scholl, Elisabeth Glaessner, Alicia Piller, Kim Dorland, Pieter Schoolwerth, Witkacy, Nikifor, Duda - Gracz, Stefano Bosis, Sebastian Gögel, Julius Hofmann, Djurberg & Berg, Miroslav Tarcenko, Alvin Ong …....and many more