Elena Osterwalder
Artist's Resume
Elena Osterwalder's new work is experimental and consists of naturally dyed paper and organic dyes. The dyes are made from plants (indigo, turmeric, tea), insects (cochinille)and vegetables (beets, onions. Minerals (clay and mica) are mixed into the dyes to give them texture.
The process of dyeing is similar to the one used by Pre-Hispanic natives to dye their wool, silk and cotton and is still in use in Mexico today.
Elena says, "My objective is to fuse old methods used by artisan with contemporary thought processes, by making installations of very natural and environmentally safe elements. The fusion of the two cultures - American and Hispanic - has been present throughout my work. It is always apparent either in subject matter or below the surface of my abstract paintings where a tropical color, flower or a sensuous line reminds me of my homeland."
Elena is the recipient of of a NALAC (National Association of Latino Arts and Culture) Fund for the Arts Grant for 2006. This grant is funded by the Ford Foundation and JP Morgan Chase.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2008 “Osterwalder” The Works, Newark, Ohio
2007 From The Earth: Modern Art from Traditional Hispanic Paper Making Roots
2007 NALAC Fine Arts Grant
The Rhodes Tower, Columbus, Ohio
2004 "Rojo-Espiritu de Vida," Art Access Gallery
2002 "Lazos Culturales," BK Smith Gallery, Lake Erie College,
OH
2001 "Color," Lanning Gallery, Columbus, OH
Pomerene Center for the Arts, Coshocton, OH
1999 "Variations on a Square," Lanning Gallery, Columbus, OH
1996 "Poetry and Painting," Lanning Gallery, Columbus, OH
1993 "Osterwalder," Nicolae Gallery, Columbus, OH
1987 Spangler Cummins Gallery, Columbus, OH
CORPORATE AND PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Barromex, Mexico City, Mexico
Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH
Borden Corporation, Columbus, OH
Coopers & Lybrand, Columbus, OH
Hyatt Regency on Capital Square, Columbus, OH
Imtrex Corporation, Columbus, OH
Ronald McDonald House, Columbus, OH
Signer Werkzungmaschinen, Zurich, Switzerland
The Huntington National Bank, Toledo, OH
The Watson Architectural Firm, Cleveland, OH
ARTWORK: Abstract paintings
Prices range from $250 to $4,500.
| Image (click to enlarge) | Number | Title | Size | Media | Show Opening |
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OST 201 | Red Earth Shades #2 | 25x30" | Iron oxide, ochre, siena, tumeric on paper | 1/18/08 |
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OST 202 | Retazo | Cochinille, Maya blue, Henna on waxed paper | 1/18/08 | |
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OST 203 | Rural Parcels of Oaxaca | 50x69" | Pigment, dyes, red iron oxide, mica | 1/18/08 |
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OST 204 | Scorched Earth | 46x46" | Amate paper, cochinille | 1/18/08 |
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OST 205 | Small framed pictures | Natural dye on paper | 1/18/08 | |
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OST 206 | Veil of the Bride | Maya blue, henna on waxed paper | 1/18/08 | |
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OST 207 | Xochimilco | Waxed paper, cochinille, paper, etc. | 1/18/08 | |
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OST 101 | Earth Series #1 | 8x9" | dye, pigment, mica on paper | 1/18/08 |
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OST 102 | Earth Series #2 | 14x9" | dye, pigment, mica on paper | 1/18/08 |
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OST 103 | Earth Series #3 | 9x9" | dye, pigment, mica on paper | 1/18/08 |
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OST 104 | Earth Series #4 | 3x5.6" | dye, pigment, mica on paper | 1/18/08 |
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OST 105 | Earth Series #5 | 5x3" | dye, pigment, mica on paper | 1/18/08 |
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OST 106 | Earth Friendly #5 | 20x24" | natural colors, mica on paper | 1/18/08 |
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OST 107 | Earth Friendly #6 | 12x8" | pigment, mica on paper |
1/18/08 |
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OST 108 | Earth Friendly #2 | 20x14" | soil, iron oxide, pigment on paper | |
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OST 109 | Earth Friendly #8 | 9x12" | natural colors, mica on paper | |
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OST 110 | Earth Friendly #10 | 7.5x18" | soil, pigment on paper |
Art Access Gallery, 540 South Drexel Avenue, Bexley, OH 43209
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