Tom Uttech

Tom Uttech (American, b. 1942) paints imaginary woodland scenes that celebrate the verdant natural world he has been closely acquainted with since his childhood in Merrill, Wisconsin. His paintings are based on the woods of the Precambrian Shield, a stretch of land across the northern United States and South-Eastern Canada, where the ancient igneous rock that forms the core of the continent is exposed, and miles of lakes, woodland, and wildlife lie untouched by human influence. Uttech’s appreciation for this land is clear in his devotion to recreating what it feels like to be in those woods, particularly at dawn and dusk, when the mystical powers of the forest and its wildlife are most evident. The effect of these effervescent, detailed paintings are like that of illuminated manuscripts. They appeal to the viewer in a nostalgic, and almost reverential way—there is a familiarity, but there is also, in the abundant presence of the wildlife and the glow of the horizon, a hint of something we cannot comprehend. This sense of mystery is referenced in Uttech’s titles of the paintings—words he finds in an ancient lexicon of the Chippewa language.

After completing his studies at Layton School of Art and the University of Cincinnati, Uttech was a professor of art at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, until 1998. Since the inclusion of his paintings in the 1975 Whitney Biennial, Uttech’s work has been the subject of over thirty-five one-person exhibitions. He continues to live and paint in Wisconsin.

Work Available

Featured

Nin Nomageb

2020, oil on linen, 46 3/4 x 50 3/4 inches including artist's hand painted frame

Kininowijiwed

2011-2012 / 2017, oil on linen, 32 1/2 x 36 1/2 inches including artist's hand painted frame

Agigoka Awbebejigoganji

2011-2012 , oil on linen, 24 5/8 x 28 3/8 inches

Nin Jawendamitagos

2009, oil on board, 15 x 19 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Nin Bemadjitod

1996, oil on canvas, 57 3/16 x 61 1/4 inches

Winawa Aenigokoweenowin Ogidj Auzhawaegaum

1992, oil on linen, 76 1/2 x 87 1/2 inches

Migouesh (For Fred Hammerstrom)

1990, oil on canvas, 47 x 51 inches

Darky Lake Net

1989, oil on linen, 48 x 48 inches

Algoma Landscape

1980, oil on linen, 64 3/4 x 72 inches

Unlikely Partners

1978, oil on linen, 59 3/4 x 46 3/4 inches (each panel)

Diptych (Untitled)

1974, oil on linen, 46 x 76 inches (each panel)

Work Exhibited

Nin Maminawendam

Nin Maminawendam

2006, oil on linen, 73 x 78 inches

Nin Mamawiidimin

Nin Mamawiidimin

2006, oil on linen, 53 x 67 inches

Enassamishhinjijweian

Enassamishhinjijweian

2009, oil on linen, 102 5/8 x 112 inches (framed dimensions)

Nind Awatchige

2003, oil on canvas, 112 x 122 inches

Passmagad

2009, oil on linen, 33 x 36 3/8 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Ishpiming

2006, oil on linen, 57 x 61 inches

Enigokodeeian

2009, oil on linen, 69 5/8 x 76 1/8 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Awassabang

2003, oil on canvas, 57 x 61 inches

Nin Mamakadendam

Nin Mamakadendam

2011-2012, oil on linen, 67 x 73 inches

Nin Kabikawa

2002, oil on canvas, 50 x 52 inches

Nin Mamakadenima

Nin Mamakadenima

2002 - 2003, oil on canvas, 43 x 49 inches

Nin Minodashimin

Nin Minodashimin

2006, oil on linen, 36 1/2 x 38 1/2 inches

Mamakadjidgan

2011-2012, oil on linen, 91 X 103 inches

Ninbimwewe

2011 - 2012, oil on linen, 45 x 49 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Papassakamigadin

Papassakamigadin

2006, oil on linen, 29 7/8 x 33 3/4 inches

Nin-Nanagatawabamdan

Nin-Nanagatawabamdan

2009, oil on linen, 56 7/8 x 61 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Maskegowok

2012, oil on linen, 67 x 73 inches

Adisokam

2011-2012, oil on linen, 26 3/4 x 29 inches

Nin Gagwedjindimin

Nin Gagwedjindimin

2009, oil on board, 16 1/2 x 17 5/8 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Zhaaboshkaachigan

Zhaaboshkaachigan

2011, watercolor on paper, 9 1/8 x 12 1/4 inches

Mamakadakamig

2009, oil on board, 15 1/4 x 18 3/4 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Nin Madadis

2009, oil on board, 15 5/8 x 19 3/8 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Anishinabewishi Mowin

Anishinabewishi Mowin

2009, oil on board, 15 x 18 7/8 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Nind Ajigidisse

Nind Ajigidisse

2009, oil on board, 15 1/2 x 19 1/4 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Mukwuh Pakobee Bausch Tae Yaug Imissae Win

Mukwuh Pakobee Bausch Tae Yaug Imissae Win

1992, oil on linen, 37 x 37 inches

Nind Ojita

2006, oil on linen, 30 7/8 x 36 3/4 inches

Bidaban

2006, oil on linen, 43 x 47 inches

Nin-Baba-Nanandoshkitegaban

Nin-Baba-Nanandoshkitegaban

2002, oil on canvas, 18 1/4 x 22 1/8 inches

Nandawendagwed

2003, oil on canvas, 54 x 62 in.; 60 3/4 x 69 including artist’s hand painted frame

Gwayakoshkaa

2003, oil on canvas, 57 x 65 inches

Nind Ogwissinam

Nind Ogwissinam

2006, oil on linen, 43 x 47 inches

Ninmikawa

2002 - 2003, oil on canvas, 31 x 35 inches

Nin Bekadowe

2001, oil on board, 17 x 17 inches

Nin Babegikandandjije

Nin Babegikandandjije

2002, oil on board, 15 x 16 inches

Untitled

1984, oil on board, 14 x 10 1/2 inches

Waban

2001 - 2003, oil on board, 16 1/2 x 15 3/4 inches

Gakiiwe

2007, oil on canvas, 26 3/4 x 29 inches

Nin Bapinendam

2006, oil on rag board, 15 1/2 x 19 1/4 inches

Nin-Babapnwe

2005, oil on rag board, 15 1/4 x 19 1/4 inches

Nin Baba Madaga

Nin Baba Madaga

2005, oil on rag board, 16 1/4 x 18 inches

Nin-Madabi

2006, oil on rag board, 17 x 17 1/2 inches

Nin-Babamitam

2005, oil on rag board, 18 x 16 inches

Assandjigon

2006, oil on linen, 27 1/2 x 29 1/2 inches

Nind Asingwam

2006, oil on rag board, 15 1/4 x 19 inches

Agigoka Awbebejigoganji

Agigoka Awbebejigoganji

2011-2012, oil on linen, 24 5/8 x 28 3/8 inches

Techigikitchigami

Techigikitchigami

2011-2012, oil on linen, 13 1/4 x 16 5/8 inches

Nind-oossima

2011-2012, oil on linen, 19 1/2 x 18 1/2 inches

Nin Nibab

2007-2012, oil on museum board, 16 x 18 inches

Nin Wabia

2011, oil on board, 19 x 23 1/4 inches

Kikinowijiwed

2011-2012, oil on linen, 32 1/2 x 36 1/2 inches

Manitowaba

2011-2012, oil on linen, 24 1/2 x 27 inches

Agoming Kitchigami

Agoming Kitchigami

2011-2012, oil on linen, 25 x 26 3/4 inches

Matawan

2011 - 2012, oil on linen, 67 x 73 inches

Gete Makwa

2009, oil on linen, 56 7/8 x 61 inches

Nind Anikomindewimin

Nind Anikomindewimin

2016, oil on linen, 42 x 44 inches, 48 1/2 x 50 1/2 inches, including artist’s painted frame.

Mamakadendagwad

Mamakadendagwad

2016, oil on canvas, 84 x 96 inches

Agoming Kitchigami

Agoming Kitchigami

2011-2012, oil on linen, 25 x 26 3/4

Nanagatawendamowin (994)

Nanagatawendamowin (994)

2017, oil on linen, 66 x 60 inches, 73 x 67 inches, including artist's hand painted frame

Nin Bakewis (1001)

Nin Bakewis (1001)

2017, oil on linen, 24 x 32 inches, 31 x 39 inches, including artist's hand painted frame

Manitowaba

2011-2012, oil on linen, 24 1/2 x 27 inches

Weossigin

2011-2012, oil on museum board, 16 1/2 x 17 3/8 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Genawenimid Anjeni

Genawenimid Anjeni

2019, oil on canvas, 63 x 57 inches

Nin Giweki

2017, oil on linen, 34 3/4 x 49 1/8 inches including artist's hand painted frame

Mamakasabandan

2017, oil on linen, 30 1/2 x 32 1/2 including artist's hand painted frame

Nin Babamenindimin

Nin Babamenindimin

2002-03 /2017, oil on canvas, 43 x 51 inches

Enassamiian

2009 oil on linen, 33 x 36 3/8 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Spread Aurora, Kaminak Lake

Spread Aurora, Kaminak Lake

1988, oil on canvas, 69 3/4 x 75 1/4 inches including artist's hand painted frame

Untitled

1984, oil on panel, 13 x 14 inches

Ogidigamig

2020, oil on board, 16 3/8 x 17 1/2 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Nin Nondetibikisitka

Nin Nondetibikisitka

2019-2020, oil on panel, 16 1/4 x 17 1/4 inches including artist’s hand painted frame

Nin Maminawendam

Nin Mamawiidimin

Enassamishhinjijweian

Nind Awatchige

Passmagad

Ishpiming

Enigokodeeian

Awassabang

Nin Mamakadendam

Nin Kabikawa

Nin Mamakadenima

Nin Minodashimin

Mamakadjidgan

Ninbimwewe

Papassakamigadin

Nin-Nanagatawabamdan

Maskegowok

Adisokam

Nin Gagwedjindimin

Zhaaboshkaachigan

Mamakadakamig

Nin Madadis

Anishinabewishi Mowin

Nind Ajigidisse

Mukwuh Pakobee Bausch Tae Yaug Imissae Win

Nind Ojita

Bidaban

Nin-Baba-Nanandoshkitegaban

Nandawendagwed

Gwayakoshkaa

Nind Ogwissinam

Ninmikawa

Nin Bekadowe

Nin Babegikandandjije

Untitled

Waban

Gakiiwe

Nin Bapinendam

Nin-Babapnwe

Nin Baba Madaga

Nin-Madabi

Nin-Babamitam

Assandjigon

Nind Asingwam

Agigoka Awbebejigoganji

Techigikitchigami

Nind-oossima

Nin Nibab

Nin Wabia

Kikinowijiwed

Manitowaba

Agoming Kitchigami

Matawan

Gete Makwa

Nind Anikomindewimin

Mamakadendagwad

Agoming Kitchigami

Nanagatawendamowin (994)

Nin Bakewis (1001)

Manitowaba

Weossigin

Genawenimid Anjeni

Nin Giweki

Mamakasabandan

Nin Babamenindimin

Enassamiian

Spread Aurora, Kaminak Lake

Untitled

Ogidigamig

Nin Nondetibikisitka

Press

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'Tom Uttech: Into the Woods'
Shepherd Express: Nature and Magic Converge at Museum of Wisconsin Art in Tom Uttech's “Into the Woods”
The New York Times: What to See in New York Art Galleries This Week
Hyperallergic: Beer with a Painter: Tom Uttech
The Washington Post: Art Review: 'The Singing and the Silence'
Smithsonian.com: The Threatened Birds in These Artworks Might One Day Go the Way of the Dodo
The Washington Post: Exhibits at Hirshhorn, Kreeger museums offer a break from the bustle
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art: Announcing Work by Leading Landscape, Pop Artists
Orion Magazine: Landscapes of the Shamans
The New York Times: Blazing a Trail for Hypnotic Hyper Realism
Art in America: Tom Uttech
American Arts Quarterly: Landscapes of Tom Uttech
The Village Voice: Where the Wild Things Are
The New York Sun: Tom Uttech - Recent Paintings
Art Papers: Tom Uttech
Art in America: Tom Uttech
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wizard of the Wild- State artist explores mysticism, magic of nature
The New York Sun: Tom Uttech
The New York Observer: Where the Wild Things Are

Essays/Interviews

Milwaukee Journal Sentinal: Art City Asks: Tom Uttech
C Magazine: The Reluctant Artist
Andrea Packard: Tom Uttech-Adisokewinini
Robert Cozzolino: To Live With Wild Things-Tom Uttech's Worlds
Lucy R. Lippard: Bringing to Life-Tom Uttech's Paintings
John Yau: Tom Uttech
Lucy R. Lippard: Tom Uttech

Past Exhibitions

Selected Biographical Notes

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