"Knowledge can be annoying and has to be suppressed sometimes" - interview with David Ostrowski

David Ostrowski - painter, who questions the whole idea of painting, experimenting with styles, strokes, compositions and themes. His artwork challenges the viewer’s ability to submerge into the artist’s world, to see the variety, glow and freshness of  the scarce palette and use all luxuriant imagination in order to grab the ideas behind each painting. David Ostrowski gave interview to Artdependence Magazine to help us in lifting a curtain over his artwork and style.  

David Ostrowski, How to do things left, Rubell Family Collection, Miami. Courtesy Peres Projects, Berlin.

Artdependence Magazine: Do you like to be named "the golden boy of abstract painting"?

David Ostrowski: It’s all the same to me. I only really pay attention when people call me “Painter Prince” or say I’m good-looking.

David Ostrowski, How to do things left, Rubell Family Collection, Miami. Courtesy Peres Projects, Berlin.

AD: You experiment with imperfection and end up with a beautiful painting.  Can we conclude that when you stand in front of an empty canvas you have no idea what the result will be?

DO: Ideas are completely overrated! I try to get to Ground Zero – to start at the beginning. Knowledge can be annoying and has to be suppressed sometimes. Luckily, I find myself right now in state of blissful stupidity; even though I recently talked myself into thinking I was actually eager to learn something – which has obviously proven to be wrong.

David Ostrowski, How to do things left, Rubell Family Collection, Miami. Courtesy Peres Projects, Berlin.

AD: Can you tell us anything about how you give titles to your work, and when do you decide about the title?

DO: The individual works from any particular series often bear the same title, since the pictures are so similar in a certain sense. And besides, a good title should be exploited for as long as possible – until it finally gets boring. Sometimes I give bad works good titles as a kind of compensation. Giving no titles would be a waste and isn’t really an option for me. Giving various works the same title can create a sense of order, but it can also be confusing.

David Ostrowski, Just do it, Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Torino. Courtesy Peres Projects, Berlin.

AD: We know that music is very important to you. Now a very stereotypical question: what is your favourite instrument, do you play music yourself and who is your favourite musician/band?

DO: My favourite instrument is the drum. I played the drums for years and even wanted to set one up in my studio to piss off my neighbour – instead, I brought in a ping-pong table in the hopes that it would make me seem more athletic. My taste in music varies – right now, I’m listening to a lot of Tony Bennett and Slayer.

David Ostrowski, Just do it, Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Torino. Courtesy Peres Projects, Berlin.

AD: Can you tell us a bit about your future exhibition schedule? Is there a book being published or anything you want to share with us?

DO: The next solo shows will be in the Arken Museum in Denmark (together with a catalogue), as well as in the Kunstraum Innsbruck. And a catalogue was also produced for my current show at the Rubell Family Collection in Miami. The show and the catalogue both have the same title: “How to do things left”.

AD: There is a quote by Mark Rothko: “There is no such thing as good painting about nothing.” Can you comment on this?

DO: He stole this quote from me!

David Ostrowski, F (dann lieber nein), 2014, paper on linen, wood, 241 x 191 cm. How to do things left, Rubell Family Collection, Miami. Courtesy Peres Projects, Berlin.

Here is an exclusive video showing how the work of David Ostrowski, F (dann lieber nein), 2014, paper on linen, wood, 241 x 191 cm was created.

AD: Thank you, David!