Sunset and Passing Storm

About Sunset and Passing Storm

This imposing and strikingly beautiful large tondo by Otto Rogers is at once contemplative, spiritual and uplifting. The prominent Canadian abstract artist was well known for his exquisite use of colour and form in his paintings, mixed media and sculptural work that re-imagined the prairie landscape he grew up in.

This tondo (Italian for round) interprets the colours of a sunset in a stormy sky—moody passages of green and black intersect with the brown landscape against a mauve backdrop. Saskatchewan born Rogers (1935-2019) was recognized by the NY art critic, Clement Greenberg as a ‘big attack’ painter early in his career and stated that his artwork showed a ‘fullness of inspiration.’ A devout follower of the Baha’i faith, Rogers did not view art as simply a ‘decorative thing.’

“One of the purposes of nature is to inspire the human heart. So, we are all inspired by nature and that is part of the artistic process as well." Otto Rogers

He acquired his MA in Fine Art from the University of Wisconsin and later taught art at the University of Saskatchewan for 29 years. Rogers also participated in the Emma Lake Workshops in BC which attracted some of North America’s finest artists. His work is held in private and more than 30 public collections including: the Art Gallery of Ontario, the National Gallery of Canada, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.