ZSÓFIA ÖTVÖS
​​The line between humor and pity is thin. It is the humor, and at times the ridiculous, that inspires and surfaces in my work. In my art I tell short stories informed by strong waves of feeling in my life. In the composition I use melodramatic tools of movement and stillness, gestures and attitudes, lights and shades. I have adopted theatrical lighting technique to express the inaccuracy of memory. My themes are of the intimate inner worlds, the utter indifference and extreme self-absorption. The characters do not shy from grotesque and satirical exaggerations, and they can also be presented at an elevated state in celebration of the individual.
In my practice I rely on my sketches, photos and the emotional memories that left an imprint on me at the time of inspiration. I am focusing on the essence of the character by taking them out of their environment and placing them in a suggestive, timeless place. I engage in as little detail as necessary to share my stories as a result my work encompasses abstract shadow-like impressions to idealized realism.
The surface of my works carries my artist-presence of creation. When painting I embrace the physical quality of the paint; the guided marks left by strokes of palette knives and brushes are responsible for the painting’s vibrant presence. In my drawings the hard pencil marks attract the viewers to step closer to see the detail, thus breaking the limit of personal space and symbolically exposing my intimate self.
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SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025
Solo, CSI project space and gallery, Chicago IL
2024
Parts Apart, CSI project space and gallery, Chicago IL
2018
Familiar Faces, The Spotlight- Signal Digital Inc, Chicago IL
Irma Became, Blue Parrot, Chicago IL
2017
Tell it All, Blue Parrot, Chicago IL
2016
Presenting Irma May, Elephant Room Gallery, Chicago, IL
2014
Irma May enters, Savoy Lounge, Chicago, IL
2008
Open Studio Exhibition Series, Studio 210, Chicago, IL
University Club, Chicago IL
2007
Rövid Történetek (Short Stories), Aranytiz Galeria Budapest, Hungary
2006
Instincts and Expressions, Parts Unknown Gallery, Chicago IL
Elongated Figures, Gallery 203, Chicago, IL
2005
Among Us, The Open Door Gallery, Chicago, IL
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SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITONS
2025
A Reckoning, a BLM exhibition, Curated by Ivone Cruze, Dragonfly Gallery Chicago, IL
2024
Mine, Yours, Ours, Kitchen and Familial Stories, Juried by Archana Shekara, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
Fortuned Trials, CSI project space and gallery, Chicago IL
2022
Salon des Refusés , Wausau Muesum of Contemporary ART, Wassau, WI
2021
Cups With a Conscience, International, Jurors: Beth Lo & Richard Notkin, Ellensburg, WA
2020
City, Grey Cube Gallery, honorable mention, Juried Online exhibition
Wet Paint, Colors of Humanity Gallert, Juror Janelle Cogan, Online exhibition
Muse, Art Fluent, Juror: Jackie Reeves, Online exhibition
CADAF online, The Contemporary & Digital Art Fair
Natural Light, National Juried Exhibition, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL*
* cancelled due to pandemic
2017
Sixth Sense, CC. Art Garage, Chicago, IL
2010
Somnabulis, 4Arts Inc, Zhou Brtothers, Chicago, IL
Open Portfolio Review, Chelsea Art Museum, New York, NY
Sterling People, New Space Gallery, Chicago, IL
Gilda’s Club fundraising, Flat Iron Artists Association, Chicago, IL
2008
Energy Output, Avram Eisen Gallery, Chicago, IL
Fashion Forward, Bank of America, Chicago, IL
Art Chicago, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL
2007
Gallery of Forking Paths, Mode Gallery, Chicago, IL
In Praise of Physical Labor, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
Hagyomány és megújulás Ttradition and Renewal), Muvészetek Háza, “Szekszárd, Hungary
2006
#510: If the Shoe Fits ... A Transformative Laboratory Exhibition, Betty Rhymer gallery, Chicago, IL
2005
Chicago Art Open, SAIC Third Floor Gallery, Chicago, IL
Illinois Artisans’ Program, Painting Exhibit, Thompson Center, Chicago, IL
Center for Conflict Resolution Found raising Gala, Marshall Fields, Chicago, IL
Nude, 4Arts Inc Gallery, Chicago, IL
2004
Create for a Cure, The Open Door Gallery, Chicago, IL
Chicago Art Open, National Vietnam Veteran Museum, Chicago, IL
Charcoll monthly exhibition series, Chicago Arts District Warehouse, Chicago, Il
2003
Florence Biannual of Contemporary Art, Fortessa De Basso, Florence, Italy
Chicago Art Open, SAIC Third Floor Gallery, Chicago, IL
Center for Conflict Resolution Fundraising Gala, SAIC Ball Room, Chicago, IL
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JURIED PUBLIC ART
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“Next to each other”/ Roger’s Park Mural Project, Chicago, IL 2011
"Suite Home Chicago"/ Fireside Chat, Chicago Cultural Affairs 2001
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REVIEWS
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Paste Magazine/ “art review, point of views” Oct.13, 2008
Lumino Magazine/ “Wicker park brings the art to the streets” October 10, 2008
Pesterzsebet/ ”Tatra tertol Chicagoig” May 29, 2007, Budapest, Hungary
Art Scope/ “Zsofia Otvos: Instincts and Expressions” 2006
Crown Point Star/ “ Hungarian artist palette” Oct. 16, 2008, Crown Point, IN
Chicago Sun-Times/ The Mix "Coyote Pretty" Feb. 11, 2005, Chicago, IL
Robert Witting "Around the Coyote WinterFest 2002- a brief review" 2002
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PUBLICATIONS
Art World Chicago, Online platfrom, 2021 Winter
Contemporary Art Curator, online platform 2021 Winter
Observia Issue #8/ Biafarin by Discover the Artist, Fall 2020
Redivider/ Cover, Emerson College, Boston, MA, 2006
Footlight/Cover Page, Marcus Promotion Inc. Dec. 2002
Suite Home Chicago, Neptune Art, 2001
New Art International, Book Art Press, 2001
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PRESS
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TimeOut Chicago/ Chicago Artists’ Month, Featured Artist, Sept. 25, 2008
Chicago Reader/ Energy Output at Avram Eisen Gallery, Nov. 6, 2008
Chicago Reader/ Forking Paths, Oct. 11,2007
Chicago Weekly/ Instincts and Expressions, June 1, 2006
Chicago Journal/ Chicago Arts Ditrict, 2nd Friday Art Crawl, June 10, 2004
Center Stage Chicago/ The best of Chicago’s Art Scene, June 24, 2004
Impressions/ Painting Exhibit, 2003 Fall
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AWARDS, GRANTS AND RECOGNITIONS
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Community Arts Assistance Program Grant, Cultural Affairs of the City of Chicago, IL 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011
Illinois Artisans’ Program, Featured artist, Thompson Center, Chicago, IL 2009, 2006
Chicago Artists’ Month‘s Featured Artist, Chicago, IL 2008
“Les regards de Jeunnes sur la Revolution Francais”, Centre Pompidue, Paris, France 1989
BIOGRAPHY
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Zsófia Ötvös has been a practicing artist for 20 years. Her work has been exhibited nationally at the Zhou Brother’s Center, Merchandise Mart, Woman Made Gallery at the Betty Rhymer Gallery, in Chicago, and at the Chelsea Art Museum, New York, NY, and internationally at the Fortessa de Basso in Florence, at Koller Gallery in Budapest, and as a youth at the Centre Pompidou, in Paris.
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Zsófia is a 4 time recipient of the Chicago Arts Assistant Program Grant, and was one of 12 featured artist during the Chicago Artist Month in 2008 and twice at the Illinois Artisan’s Program. She has been reviewed in print in Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Suntimes and at Artscope and paste magzines online.
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Zsófia gained her studio training in Budapest, at Studio 91, and earned her BA degree in Art and Theater at North Central College, while taking classes at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Zsófia grew up next to her mother’s tapestry loom, which became the base to her art. Currently Zsófia is based in Chicago, but also resides in Atlanta and Budapest. Besides her fine art studio practice, Zsófia is an accomplished makeup artist for film and television