Hereby I present my latest work, Life Is Too Short, To you
Life is too short to be negative.
Life is too fickle to be naive
Life is too dynamic to be relaxed
Life is too unfair to be positive
Life ends that makes it relative.
This image is a digital collage of pictures I made in Rome (2022) Man holding his head and massaging his temples was posted on a bridge crossing the Tiber, the Tiber is now flooding behind the man, the graffiti found on a wall somewhere in Rome. La Grande Bellezza.
In this post I feature the latest work ‘No time to recover’ and WAR by Ahmed Aldaalsa, an artist from Gaza (March/April 2025)
Ahmed about this drawing:
“Well this person is me and I am trying to talk in this work about not recovering because you know the war is back again so I did not take enough time for my mind and body to recover and now I feel very scattered and also I am holding a cactus in my hand which is a symbol of patience here in Palestine“
While Gaza is, still and again, under siege by Netanyahu’s army. Ahmed and his family are still trying to survive and overcome this devastating defeat. But like the titel of his latest drawing, he is not able to recover this intense and brutal crimes against them. While most Gazans drown in silent despair, Ahmed can still draw us a picture.
Ahmed’s story is the story of many Gazans; their situation is dire and distressing. I gave Ahmed a guest page on my website in July 2024 and exhibited his work in art space the Langhuis Zwolle. You can read more about it at https://maritotto.nl/guest-page/ or https://www.langhuis.nl/expected-gaza-24/.
I am fully aware of my own lack of power but I think it is still important that the story, including the personal and in this case the artistic story, continues to be told and that the eyes of the world remain on Gaza (and the West Bank). Also, it is my indictment of Netanyahu, I hope justice will be done.
Hereby I present my latest artworks to you; ‘Enable & Disable (diptych)
Acrylic on canvas
50 x 50 x 1cm each
2025
Enable and disable; these words hold power to switch on or off. Each time we are asked to enable or disable we take a turn in one direction. This trivial action may have implications.
As individuals we sometimes seem and feel powerless but together we can be a force of change, if we choose to.
Sadly, the global unregulated free market in its current form has been proving destructive to the planet but is now endangering our democracies as well.
At the root of every product is a producer, but then there is also, ultimately, a user. We are that users. Without a user a producer is a king without a kingdom, an empty, harmless shell. So what we as consumers do, buy and use matters. We are able to enable and disable. Switch on and off. With every purchase, we enable someone at the end of the line. We are able to make kings rise and fall and disable or enable anyone who can or can’t handle our confidence and saves or steals our future.
Hereby I present to you; ‘Serious Attitude (this is not democracy)’
Digital artprint on paper
50 x 50 cm
2025
I captured this situation when I was in Luxembourg some years ago.
I altered it a bit and have taken it to the actuality.
It’s a symbolic comment.
Wonderful news, my painting ‘ Last Gatekeepers Of Lost Revolutions’ has been shortlisted in the Singulart International Women’s Day 2025 Award!
The jury states that it stands out with its unique perspective on the theme of (female) Bravery.
About the work itself:
Hovering female figures spreading their arms wide open and floating around. They are jumping and moving simultaneously. They are clearly present and strong. The last gatekeepers is referring to a world where young men, the proverbial sons, are sent to war by other men. This is why, I believe, when women rule, wars will end. No mother in her right mind will ever send her child voluntarily to a war, any war.
Last Gatekeepers Of Lost Revolutions is part of the Metropolitan series and is currently on display in Bruxelles handled by Bernice, Art Rental and Gallery in Temse.
Check this work at; https://www.singulart.com/nl/kunstwerken/marit-otto-last-gatekeepers-of-lost-revolutions-54563
More about the Metropolitan series: https://maritotto.nl/metropolieten-2017-2/
Anxious to hear the final verdict, I’ll keep you posted!
Pen and ink on paper 70 x70 x 2 cm
Hereby I introduce my latest artwork ‘Fly Now Pay Later’ to you
If only we had wings and winged words that could fly us everywhere
If only we could save our last treads of evaporating fantasy
A free flight to the middle of nowhere
We will compensate,
later.
(voor Nederlandse versie klik hier)
Hereby I present my latest artwork,
Futile Fish Eyed Vitreous Gaze, to you.
Part of the Side Show Series
Thats me staring back at you
Hiding behind the cameralens
Exploring the room with me in it
It seems a whole universe with me on it, I’m on it.
A special occasion; Singulart art sale until December 01.
30% off- check it out.
Introducing to you: R.O.T. Selections Pink 01, Black 04 & Green 01. Drawn from the Remains Of Today series
I started with a series of small circular made canvases in 2018, and named the small unique works verbals. I created in total 300 verbals by the name of Remains Of Today.
They were presented to you on this platform over time, as single artworks and sets. As I finished this project about revaluing litter and daily remains, I decided to re-order and re-present them. You may regard it as a best off’, sampling the best works in the best possible combinations of 9.
Read all about this project and total installation @ https://www.maritotto.nl/over-remains-of-today/
(NL)
Even voorstellen: R.O.T. Selecties Roze 01, Zwart 04 & Groen 01. geselecteerd uit de Remains Of Today serie
Ik begon in 2018 met een serie kleine circulair gemaakte doeken en noemde de kleine unieke werken verbals. In totaal maakte ik 300 verbals onder de naam Remains Of Today.
Ze werden in de loop van de tijd aan jullie gepresenteerd op dit platform, als losse kunstwerken en als sets. Toen ik dit project over het herwaarderen van zwerfafval en dagelijkse overblijfselen had afgerond, besloot ik ze opnieuw te ordenen en te presenteren. Je kunt het zien als een ‘best off’, een selectie van de beste werken in de best mogelijke combinaties van 9.
Lees alles over dit project en de totale installatie
(Scroll naar beneden voor Nederlands)
I hereby present my latest painting ‘Virgin Screens 02 – Green’
Acrylic on canvas
150 x 100cm
Part of the Brave New World series
In a green space, green screens hang casually in front of and over each other. Here every possible thought can be projected and every imagination can become reality. A space where everything can happen at once. The past, the future and the present, like Einstein’s theory, captured in one entity, our universe. Overwhelming and comforting in equal measure.
Bij deze presenteer ik mijn laatste schilderij ‘Virgin Screens 02 – Green’
Acryl op doek
150 x 100cm
In een groene ruimte hangen groene schermen nonchalant voor en over elkaar. Hier kan elke mogelijke gedachte worden geprojecteerd en kan elke verbeelding werkelijkheid worden. Een ruimte waar alles tegelijk kan gebeuren. Het verleden, de toekomst en het heden, zoals de theorie van Einstein, gevangen in één entiteit, ons universum. Overweldigend en troostend tegelijkertijd.
