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Philip Wittmann

Belgian
Philip Wittmann work is based on signs. Signs are for him an intermediary between abstraction and writing. He started painting 32 years ago, at the age of 26, as an amateur painter with ‘pure’ abstraction. However he felt he did not have strong basis on which his work could evolve. Then in 2008, when taking a calligraphy class, he found a book about the origins of the Chinese alphabet which origins are basically signs. The Chinese characters as we know them today are more graphical than the 26 letters of our Latin alphabet. However when looking at the origin of alphabets, all alphabets actually, he realized that the graphical representation is more present as there is often a resemblance between the sign - its actual meaning- and what it is supposed to represent. For instance in the origin of Chinese alphabet the sign representing a Turtle looks like a turtle. Wittmann loves signs as they leave room for interpretation. For instance, If one writes “the sky is blue”, every person will make for her/himself a mental representation of a blue sky, even if everyone of us, will probably have some nuance in our own mental representation of that blue sky. On the other hand, a sign can be interpreted by the viewer in anyway you want. There is no clear meaning attached to it. These signs might appeal to your conscious and/or unconscious thoughts. This is what he finds attractive. As we listen to people talking about what they ‘see’ in his work we are always surprised by the ‘stories’ that people build with themselves in their own minds. The combination of signs and calligraph forms the basis of his style. Phillip then built his own dictionary of signs which he carefully uses and organizes on the paper using Inks and oils.
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Sense-  a unique ink on paper painting

Sense- a unique ink on paper painting

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

Ink on paper, Acrylic and / or watercolor, signed in the front, framed in a thin blond wood frame, glass. Philip Wittmann work is based on signs. Sign...

Category

2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Archival Ink

Willingness

Willingness

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

Ink on paper, Acrylic and / or watercolor, signed in the front, framed in a aluminum silver frame, glass. Philip Wittmann work is based on signs. Sign...

Category

2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic, Watercolor, Archival Paper, Archival Ink

La croyance

La croyance

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

Ink on paper, Acrylic and / or watercolor, signed in the front, framed in a thin Blond wood frame, glass. Philip Wittmann work is based on signs. Signs are for him an intermediary b...

Category

2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Self-Esteem

Self-Esteem

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

Ink on paper, Acrylic and / or watercolor, signed in the front, framed in a thin blond wood frame, glass. Philip Wittmann work is based on signs. Sign...

Category

2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic, Watercolor, Archival Paper

Lust

Lust

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

Ink on paper, Acrylic and / or watercolor, signed in the front, framed in a aluminum silver frame, glass. Philip Wittmann work is based on signs. Sign...

Category

2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Paper, Ink, Archival Ink, Acrylic, Watercolor, Archival Paper

Looking For Tomorrow

Looking For Tomorrow

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

The art of Philip Wittmann is founded on signals. For him, signs serve as a bridge between abstraction, reality and writing, too. When he was 26 years old, he began painting as a hobbyist using 'pure' abstraction. However, he believed his work lacked a solid foundation upon which to grow. ​He discovered a book on the origins of the Chinese alphabet, which origins are essentially signs, in 2008 while taking a calligraphy class. The 26 letters of our Latin alphabet are less pictorial than the Chinese characters as we know them now. He discovered that pictorial representation is more prevalent when examining the origins of alphabets—all alphabets, in fact—because there is frequently a similarity between the sign's true meaning and what it is meant to represent. For instance, the symbol for a turtle in the original Chinese script resembles a turtle. Wittmann loves signs as they leave room for interpretation. For instance, if one writes “the sky is blue”, one will make for themself a mental representation of a blue sky, even if each one-off us will probably have some nuance in our own mental representation of that blue sky. On the other hand, a sign can...

Category

2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Ink, Acrylic, Watercolor, Archival Paper, Handmade Paper

Never Ending Story
Never Ending Story

Never Ending Story

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

Philip Wittmann work is based on signs. Signs are for him an intermediary between abstraction and writing. He started painting 32 years ago, at the age...

Category

2010s Abstract Philip Wittmann

Materials

Ink, Paper, Archival Ink, Acrylic, Archival Paper

Innocent

Innocent

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

The art of Philip Wittmann is founded on signals. For him, signs serve as a bridge between abstraction, reality and writing, too. When he was 26 years ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Ink, Handmade Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor, Archival Paper

Uncounscious Desire
Uncounscious Desire

Uncounscious Desire

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

Ink on paper - Philip Wittmann work is based on signs. Signs are for him an intermediary between abstraction and writing. He started painting 32 years ago, at the age of 26, as an ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Thirst

Thirst

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

The art of Philip Wittmann is founded on signals. For him, signs serve as a bridge between abstraction, reality and writing, too. When he was 26 years old, he began painting as a hobbyist using 'pure' abstraction. However, he believed his work lacked a solid foundation upon which to grow. ​He discovered a book on the origins of the Chinese alphabet, which origins are essentially signs, in 2008 while taking a calligraphy class. The 26 letters of our Latin alphabet are less pictorial than the Chinese characters as we know them now. He discovered that pictorial representation is more prevalent when examining the origins of alphabets—all alphabets, in fact—because there is frequently a similarity between the sign's true meaning and what it is meant to represent. For instance, the symbol for a turtle in the original Chinese script resembles a turtle. Wittmann loves signs as they leave room for interpretation. For instance, if one writes “the sky is blue”, one will make for themself a mental representation of a blue sky, even if each one-off us will probably have some nuance in our own mental representation of that blue sky. On the other hand, a sign can...

Category

2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Ink, Handmade Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor, Archival Paper

Unforgettable

Unforgettable

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

The art of Philip Wittmann is founded on signals. For him, signs serve as a bridge between abstraction, reality and writing, too. When he was 26 years old, he began painting as a hobbyist using 'pure' abstraction. However, he believed his work lacked a solid foundation upon which to grow. ​He discovered a book on the origins of the Chinese alphabet, which origins are essentially signs, in 2008 while taking a calligraphy class. The 26 letters of our Latin alphabet are less pictorial than the Chinese characters as we know them now. He discovered that pictorial representation is more prevalent when examining the origins of alphabets—all alphabets, in fact—because there is frequently a similarity between the sign's true meaning and what it is meant to represent. For instance, the symbol for a turtle in the original Chinese script resembles a turtle. Wittmann loves signs as they leave room for interpretation. For instance, if one writes “the sky is blue”, one will make for themself a mental representation of a blue sky, even if each one-off us will probably have some nuance in our own mental representation of that blue sky. On the other hand, a sign can...

Category

2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Ink, Handmade Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor, Archival Paper

Livehood

Livehood

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

Philip Wittmann work is based on signs. Signs are for him an intermediary between abstraction and writing. He started painting 32 years ago, at the age of 26, as an amateur painter w...

Category

2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

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Previously Available Items
The Misunderstanding

Philip WittmannThe Misunderstanding, 2021

Sold

H 31.5 in W 43.31 in D 1 in

The Misunderstanding

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

Ink on paper, Acrylic and / or watercolor, signed in the front, framed in a thin Blond wood frame, glass. Philip Wittmann work is based on signs. Signs are for him an intermediary b...

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2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper, Paper

La confrontation

Philip WittmannLa confrontation, 2021

Sold

H 31.5 in W 43.31 in D 1 in

La confrontation

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

Ink on paper, Acrylic and / or watercolor, signed in the front, framed in a thin Blond wood frame, glass. Philip Wittmann work is based on signs. Signs are for him an intermediary b...

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2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

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The Misunderstanding
The Misunderstanding

Philip WittmannThe Misunderstanding, 2022

Sold

H 31.5 in W 43.31 in D 1 in

The Misunderstanding

By Philip Wittmann

Located in New York, NY

Philip Wittmann work is based on signs. Signs are for him an intermediary between abstraction and writing. He started painting 32 years ago, at the age of 26, as an amateur painter w...

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2010s Contemporary Philip Wittmann

Materials

Ink, Archival Paper

Philip Wittmann art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Philip Wittmann art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Philip Wittmann in archival paper, ink, paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Philip Wittmann art, so small editions measuring 20 inches across are available. Philip Wittmann art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,200 and tops out at $8,000, while the average work can sell for $4,200.