Can art be the voice of change? Read my appeal.
THISCREPANCY
THISCREPANCY – pen and ink on paper – 70 x 70 cm- 2026
Soldier, seen from behind, heavily armed, has orders from higher up. He obeys and asks no questions, because that's what soldiers do.
Souldier seen from behind, heavily armed, has orders from higher up. He has moral objections and poses questions, because that is what soldiers should do.
Soldier will not judge right or wrong, he carries out orders. Just a tool, an extension of a greater power.
Souldier might have an opinion about what is right and wrong and is prudent in carrying out an order. Much more than a tool or an extension of a higher power.
Soldier has no political colour, just camouflage colours; he serves whoever pays his wages.
Souldier has no political colour, just camouflage colours; his humanity is not for sale.
Soldier obeys and asks no questions, because that is what soldiers do
Souldier have moral objections and pose questions, because that is what soldiers should do.With Gaza and Westbank in mind, a heads up against the oppression of Netanyahu and pro peace, for U.S.A. Citizens heads up against ICE (and Trump) pro peace, Ukraine heads up against Putin and pro peace. The list could go on for ever- heads up for all who wants a peaceful living without oppressors.
Heavenly Peace revisited
I hereby present to you ‘Heavenly Peace revisited (the imbalance of power)’
This pen drawing is a creative collaboration between myself and Ahmed Aldaalsa, an artist from Gaza. It expresses a feeling of powerlessness. Pen and ink on paper, 65 x 65 cm.
The image is based on an iconic image from 1989 in which the Chinese army violently suppressed a large-scale student protest. The student in the image, armed only with two plastic bags in both hands, stood motionless in protest in front of a line of giant tanks rolling into Tiananmen Square. He did not flinch when the front tank drove threateningly towards him. Nothing has been heard of the anonymous student in question since then.
Next to the student who seems frozen in time stands a young Palestinian man armed with a flag. Different time and place, same image, the powerless provoking the powerful. The direct confrontation with the overwhelming colossus is a symbolic act that he could never win.
Equity and human rights, can that be something of different consequence for one person than for another?
The powerless against the powerful, a David against a Goliath, but then the David of the past would be the Goliath of today.
More work by Ahmed is also to be seen in this exhibition: https://maritotto.nl/exhibition-how-can-anyone-lose-everything-he-owns-and-not-lose-his-mind/
Interview in ArtDependence Magazine
Published in september 2025 – by Dirk vanDuffel (klik hier voor Nederlandse versie)
Power, History, and Change: The Art of Marit Otto
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Dutch artist Marit Otto experiences art on many levels and in many different ways. She looks for aesthetics and eloquence but also for a particular angle.
Marit Otto creates contemporary engaged art. She says: “It has a certain urgency. It is reflecting us, people and the zeitgeist. Images speak louder than words and basically appeal very directly to our feelings. My images are something of a mix between activism and philosophy, they want to engage in dialogue.”
ArtDependence (AD): How does your work reflect your view of the world right now?
Marit Otto (MO): My work is a reflection of the Zeitgeist. It’s what I distract from the daily news, developments, movements and fashions. Questions it provokes, sadness it arouses, anger that it sparkles need to find their ways into something visual and meaningful. Everything eventually solidifies into an image that hopefully radiates something universal, embodies beauty and is also identifiable as critical or/and philosophical. The image may be abrasive, provocative and controversial, but it must also be attractive. It must appeal to the viewer.
This appeal is essential so that, after their initial encounter with the image, viewers feel compelled to explore it further.
AD: What role do you think art plays in connecting people today?
MO: To be honest, I have mixed feelings. On one hand we see an increase of art lovers all over the world. It has become less elitair and accessible for the masses. That’s a good development. On the other hand we see that commerce is getting a vast grip on every aspect of art in every art discipline. It has more and more become so intertwined with capitalistic motives. While I truly believe, artists should be independent in their minds and souls. Their talents should not be used for mere financial gain and profits but to offer the world an alternative route or narrative. I believe that art is essential for connection and nuanced communication. But, that being said, also for a bit of fresh air in the minds and hearts.
AD: What message or feeling do you hope viewers take away from your art?
MO: I hope to shake them up a little and make them contemplate about the topics I present to them. This is my message always; there are alternative routes to the one we are all walking now. Change is up to us. But for seekers of beauty I hope to meet their expectations too. Celebrating beauty in art is not vain.
AD: Can you tell us the story behind the artwork artwork, Man’s World, painted this year.
MO: We see a few men toying and tossing around with a blue ball, resembling the earth. One of them pushing the biggest ball has a likeness with Sisyphus, a figure from Greek Mythology. Sisyphus was a cunning man but made the mistake to challenge the Gods. Time and again he managed to escape the wrath of the gods, but in doing so he only made his ultimate punishment worse. His penalty was that he had to push a boulder up a mountain in Tartarus until the end of time.
There are a few hooks in this respect with this day and age where men challenge Gods and her creations in many disrespectful ways. What and who this challenged God is and what it represents is something that differs for each individual. Yet we are all witnesses to the dismantling of her creation. You could say whomever God is: supernatural, a miracle or nature, she’s used and exploited by fickle men with egoist mindsets.
The rock that is eternally pushed up the mountain represents history, which, though
possibly in a variety of guises, repeats itself endlessly. I would add: without genuinely learning from it. The other men in the picture are no celebs in this regard, but merely a group that enthusiastically and devotedly follows a supreme leader, which is the one manifesting itself by masculine scream and roar.
Read whole article at: https: //artdependence.com/articles/power-history-and-change-the-art-of-marit-otto/
Main Image: Marit Otto, Man’s World, Acrylic on canvas
Life Is Too Short
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.
Artistic message from Gaza
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.
Enable & Disable
acryl op canvas – 50 x 50 cm- 2025
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.
Serious Attitude
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.
Last Gatekeepers Of Lost Revolutions is shortlisted
Last Gatekeepers Of Lost Revolutions 2017
Acrylic on canvas
150 x 100 cm
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!
Fly Now Pay Later
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.