Angel Otero (B. 1981)
Balcony Song (2011)
84 x 72 inches
Oil and oil paint skins on canvas
Signed, titled and dated on the reverse
Auction House Estimate: $18,000 to $25,000
My Recommendation: Bid up to $30,000
Result: $38,000 (hammer) on 9/30/20
Interested in Angel Otero?
Artist Profile
Born in San Juan, painter and sculptor, Angel Otero makes bold paintings by applying thick layers of oil paint and dried out sheets of oil paint, called “oil paint skins” to his canvases. To make the skins, he applies paint to glass, then scrapes it off when it is still wet, and then re-applies these malleable “skins” to the canvas. This creates a layered and textured surface that has become his signature style. This painting is a striking example of this process. He cites Poussin, de Kooning, Picasso as his main influences, as well as Baroque Spanish painting.
My Take
Not yet 40 years old, Otero has a been a fast-rising star of the art scene, and is represented at 3 excellent US galleries: Lehmann Maupin (NY), Kavi Gupta (Chi), and Susanne Vielmetter (LA). His work has sold regularly at auction above $70,000 and on the primary market (aka, at his galleries). This large canvas is a gorgeous example with a beautiful color combination. It is reminiscent of a 1960s Lee Krasner, an American master. I believe in his signature look and process, and being so young, his career and market have a long upward trend ahead. Get on board.