...born in 1952, he lives and works in France.

Fascinated by Sequences of Motion

What is fascinating about the paintings of Bernard Ott is use of sequences of motion.  Whether depicting racehorses, or in his most recent works, cyclists, palpable speed is what most is most important for him.  In this way, he dissolves ridgid shapes almost imperceptibly, suggesting dynamics - an effect he emphasises by creating opposing directions of movement.  Appearing as if from nowhere, the moving bodies form a harmonious organism moving towards or away from the viewer at different speeds.  By skilfully orchestrating the interplay of plasticity, two-dimensionality, formation and shape resolution, Ott draws the viewer into the scene.