The Art of Rudy Rotter
The Art of Rudy Rotter (1913-2001) presents a special world of people and creatures set rhythmically and dynamically within the borders of his many drawing and sculptures. The sensations and feelings generated by the work are unbounded. The range is wide and deep.
The artwork is the expressive product of the artist’s personal exploration into the interconnectedness of humanity.
Over a 45-year period, Rudy Rotter obsessively created art daily in an unheated studio in a small Wisconsin town, producing enough work to eventually fill a self-styled museum.
The artwork is unique and immediately attributable to this artist. It exists outside of the standard conventions and language of the formal art world.
Rotter was not part of the art context of his day. Instead, he relied solely on his own inner imagination and invention. His art has been defined as belonging to the Self-taught and Outsider genres.
While the museum no longer exists, a fresh effort is underway to raise awareness of and appreciation for the art of this under-recognized artist.
Use this website to learn more about Rudy Rotter and his art.
Resources
Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram
Read : Who was Rudy Rotter
Photos : View the Art
Exhibitions: CV Exhibition List
Wikipedia : The Artist as a Humanist
Chapter: A Portrait of the Artist – in his final year
NEW: Selected Drawings via Artwork Archive
A Short Essay
The Expertise of Rudy Rotter – From Early to Late Period | pdf
Early to Late Period
Articles, Books & Exhibitions
Outsider Art Fair 2019 – Works on Paper | Booth #51
Folk Art Messenger 2018 – A Warehouse Full of Dreams
Miracle of the Spirit 2005 – Stories from Wisconsin
Artist’s Letter 1995 – Memories
Let the Joy Come In – The Last Decade of Rudy’s Art

Videos
KCPT Kansas City, MO (2001)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (2008)
BookRudy Rotter’s Spirit-Driven ArtThe Odyssey and Evolution of an Artistic Vision by Anton Rajer |
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PDF format – good quality / slow load Online Slide Deck – fast load / lower quality Microsoft Word – best quality / large download |
“His creativity is driven by a passion to convey a feeling about humanity. In the sanctity of his Buffalo Street studio, it doesn’t matter who or what is outside the door. Inside, his mind and imagination take him to places most ordinary mortals will only begin to know by looking at his work.”
QuickTime Movies of Rudy Rotter
CLICK TO VIEW
(low-quality videos but worth viewing)
Rudy’s thoughts on the act of creating |
Rudy in his workshop
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Rudy and his spray-painted creatures
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Rudy and his use of patterns and molds
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Rudy presenting trophy material sculptures
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Rudy showing his use of multiples
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All inquiries are welcome.
Contact
Randy Rotter
randy.rotter@rudyrotterart.com
(206) 855-9625
About: Randy, Rudy’s son, earned an MFA in Sculpture from the Univ. of Southern California. In the early 1980s Randy worked as an artist on New York’s Lower East Side, later moving to Seattle to spend 18 years in the technology sector before retiring in 2011. He is now happily re-engaged in the world of art as the steward of the extensive collection of his late father’s artwork.
- This site is best viewed on a large screen.