Elena Osterwalder

About Elena

Elena Osterwalder’s new work is experimental and consists of naturally dyed paper and organic dyes. The dyes are made from plants (indigo, turmeric, tea), insects (cochinille)and vegetables (beets, onions. Minerals (clay and mica) are mixed into the dyes to give them texture.

The process of dyeing is similar to the one used by Pre-Hispanic natives to dye their wool, silk and cotton and is still in use in Mexico today.

Elena says, “My objective is to fuse old methods used by artisan with contemporary thought processes, by making installations of very natural and environmentally safe elements. The fusion of the two cultures – American and Hispanic – has been present throughout my work. It is always apparent either in subject matter or below the surface of my abstract paintings where a tropical color, flower or a sensuous line reminds me of my homeland.”

Video about Elena

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS

Elena Osterwalder is showing her work in two international shows during September 2010:

“La Barca de Oro” is exhibited at the 21st IAPMA Congress 2010 in Gangwon-do, South Korea through -14th of September 14. Afterwards it will be installed at the HANJI THEME PARK in Gangwon-do, South Korea.

“City Scene” and “The Tower” are exhibited at Dreams-Vision-Creations Athens Art 2010, Technopolis, Athens, Greece through September 15. The event has been organized by Takis Alexiou and CA4S.

Selected Exhibitions

2013 “Color Is”, Otterbein University, Miller Gallery, Westerville, OH                                                                                    2012 “Elena Osterwalder – 41 Years of Creativity”, Art Access Gallery, Bexley, OH                                                              2008 “Osterwalder” The Works, Newark, Ohio                                                                                                                                    2007 From The Earth: Modern Art from Traditional Hispanic Paper Making Roots
2007 NALAC Fine Arts Grant
The Rhodes Tower, Columbus, Ohio                                                                                                                                                   2004 “Rojo-Espiritu de Vida,” Art Access Gallery
2002 “Lazos Culturales,” BK Smith Gallery, Lake Erie College, OH
2001 “Color,” Lanning Gallery, Columbus, OH
Pomerene Center for the Arts, Coshocton, OH
1999 “Variations on a Square,” Lanning Gallery, Columbus, OH
1996 “Poetry and Painting,” Lanning Gallery, Columbus, OH
1993 “Osterwalder,” Nicolae Gallery, Columbus, OH
1987 Spangler Cummins Gallery, Columbus, OH
CORPORATE AND PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Barromex, Mexico City, Mexico
Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH
Borden Corporation, Columbus, OH
Coopers & Lybrand, Columbus, OH
Hyatt Regency on Capital Square, Columbus, OH
Imtrex Corporation, Columbus, OH
Ronald McDonald House, Columbus, OH
Signer Werkzungmaschinen, Zurich, Switzerland
The Huntington National Bank, Toledo, OH
The Watson Architectural Firm, Cleveland, OH