Notes

My drawings have always been closely related to my sculptural works although I seldom present sketches as ideas toward sculptures. Exceptions are, of course, in instances where I present ideas for commissions in the form of drawings and sketches. In most cases my drawings are very much works in their own right but explore similar ideas to the sculptures.

Walter Oltmann

Oltmann indicated to Tracy Murinik that a number of his own ideas about the insect/suits he creates are encapsulated in the following description of an exhibition on art and fashion which took place in the United Kingdom in 2005: Artists have been increasingly interested in trying to pin down the nature of identity and often use 'clothing' as a metaphor in this area. Clothing and fashion are important components of identity, and embrace aspects of status, ritual, culture, psychology, body image, personal interests and histories. Fashion itself is an art form that increasingly draws on art for inspiration. An 'uninhabited' item of clothing [such as in the present lot] suggests absence and becomes an abstract symbol: a substitute or surrogate for the body. Representations or images of clothing invite the viewer to mentally try them on - this implied invitation to participate with the works and make them 'complete' makes clothing a potent vehicle for artists.

Brenda Schmahmann