Otto Duecker has been exploring his own variation of New Realism for over thirty years. Born in 1948 in Milwaukee and raised in the Netherlands, Turkey and Germany, Duecker’s family eventually settled in Oklahoma where he earned a bachelor of fine arts at Oklahoma State University. He taught for over a decade while developing his unique approach to painting the human figure in precise detail.

Much of Duecker’s early work focused on marginal members of society. He first received national attention in the 1970s for his “Drifters” series of stark, life-size cutouts of street people. Crouching, standing and sitting, these figures stared boldly at the viewer with an uncanny realism that more than once caused panic when encountered by those unaware that they were looking at a painting.

His fascination with history and artists has led Otto Duecker to return to the human image in a series of trompe l’oeil paintings of the iconic figures of 20th century politics, Hollywood and the art world.  These works, in which Duecker paints “snapshots” of famous figures that appear to be casually taped to cracking surfaces, play against our expectations of the formal presentation of works of homage while startling us with their precision and beauty. They capture the character and determination of the men and women who have shaped our world.
 
Otto Duecker’s work has been exhibited throughout the country and can be found in many major private collections.  Mr. Duecker is also available for portrait commissions.  Hammer Galleries is pleased to represent Mr. Duecker since 2004.