The Mystic Otto Rapp

Bogomil's Universe is an excursion into the realms of the "Inner Universe" - a parallel universe that exists in the mind, and glimpses thereof are presented here. I am increasingly reluctant to speak of my work as strictly and exclusively surrealistic. While Surrealism provided the initial spark, and some of the methods of Surrealism are employed, I do not suppress the influence of the rational and selective focus. Thus, particularly in later works, there is to be found a conscious juxtapositioning of the complementary forces of inspiration and reason.
I do not concern myself with the elimination of the rational, the exclusivity of the irrational and the absurd, but presentation of the conscious and subconscious world as an inseparable whole. I draw my inspirations from the layered labyrinthic underground which represents the "other side" of life, which is an "inner" imaginative-inspirational counterpart to the "outer" world, expressed with the help of logic-alogic associations, analogisations and symbolism.
The paintings in the cyclus "Bogomil's Universe" are derived by creating textural surfaces, the method of "Decalcomania" as pioneered by the Surrealists, letting color, consistency and flow of the paint determine initial shapes, which are then interpreted by adding onto, or deleting. In the later works, films of gossamer-thin acrylics are stripped from non-absorbent supports (such as glass or plastic) and affixed, in a collage-like fashion, to the painting.
An article about gnostic Bogomils of 10th Century Bulgaria inspired the title of the first painting in the cyclus: "Bogomil's Vegetable Garden".
For a time in history, the term "bogomilism" seemed to be associated, or synonymous with, outlandish and unorthodox beliefs. This, and the gnostic doctrine of dualism are the only touching points: at no time have I attempted to represent a literal, illustrative interpretion of the theme. Indeed, the detailed and lushly textured images presented would be anathema to the bogomil belief that matter is irredeemably evil.
My interest in Religion and Mythology is particularly expressed in my drawings. Technically, they are counterpoint to the Bogomil Cyclus paintings, relying almost entirely on the action of the sharpened pencil point on virginal paper, as opposed to textured surfaces as inspirational departure points in my paintings. In both instances however, the outcome is not pre-determined. The act of painting or drawing is a memorable trip into the uncharted realms of the "Inner Universe", the results of which are presented to you here after the fact.

Exhibition Introduction September 1983

Born in 1944 in Felixdorf, Lower Austria, I lived and was educated in Vienna, where later I worked as a clerk in the Transport and Insurance Business. After completing service in the Austrian Air Force, I traveled throughout Europe, eventually settling in Stockholm, Sweden.
As a Painter I was initially self taught, studying in the various Galleries and Museums. In Vienna, I was often ‘hanging out’ at the Akademie der Bildenden Kuenste, where I admired the work of the “Wiener Schule des Phantastischen Realismus” represented there by the Professors Ernst Fuchs, Rudolf Hausner and Arik Brauer.
In Stockholm, I found out that I was washing dishes in the very same Restaurant where years earlier another Viennese Artist, Fritz Hundertwasser, the ‘Austrian Gaudi’ as he was later known as, had worked the same job. Encouraged by an art dealer in Gamla Stan, I began to paint more seriously. Busking on the streets of Gamla Stan with a Dutch artist, my very first painting was sold to a passer-by by my artist friend while I stood in the employment office line - this paid for a lavish meal for both of us that day.
Traveling around in 1968, I wound up in Western Canada where eventually I settled in Lethbridge, Alberta, the place I still call home today. It was in Canada where the majority of my mature work was produced (under the sponsorship of a small Lethbridge Gallery).
Working for the Canadian Pacific Railway, I quit in 1977 to attend the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program at the University of Lethbridge, graduating (with great distinction) in 1982.
In Canada, I participated in many exhibitions, and held several Solo Shows, culminating in the pivotal 1994 showing at “The Prairie Art Gallery” in Grande Prairie, Alberta, which earned me the moniker ‘The Mystic’.
Throughout my years in Canada, I had been the subject of many reviews and newspaper articles as well as local television shows in Calgary and Lethbridge while being active as an artist, art instructor, curator, studio technician, art critic and juror.

I returned to Vienna, Austria in 2011 - working in my studio at the KUNSTQUARTIER WIEN

I exhibited since 1972 - at first locally in Canada, then internationally.
My exhibition activities and Curriculum Vitae can be viewed here:

ART OF THE MYSTIC CURRICULUM VITAE

1979 – Prize in Studio Art

The Faculty – Department of Art

University of Lethbridge



1979 - Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship

Beta Sigma Phi

University of Lethbridge



1980 - Certificate of Merit

The Minister for Advanced Education and Manpower

Province of Alberta, Canada