Michael Ott

Michael was born in Bartlesville, OK and was raised on a farm South of Wichita. He received his BFA (1967) - University of Colorado and his MA (1969) - University of California. He was a Professor of Art at University of Kansas from 1969 until his death in 1996. He was also an Exchange Professor to the School of Art & Design, Coventry Polytchnic in Coventry, England from 1991-1992. He often used clothing in his paintings, saying that people wear what they do for functional reasons, for status and to identify themselves. He died in a fall from the roof of his home in Lawrence at the age of 51. He was posthumously award the 1997 Phoenix Award for Exceptional Artistic Achievement by the Lawrence Arts Council. He received the 1986 Kansas Governor's Artist Award.

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