Otto Schade – Ribbons and Silhouettes on the Streets of London

Otto Schade has been part of the East London scene since 2006. Born in Chile and trained as both an artist and an architect. His work has become instantly recognisable on the walls of London and beyond. Over the years developing two distinctive styles.

The Ribbon Style

The first is his ribbon style. Formed from sweeping bands of colour that wrap around figures, objects and faces. The ribbons fold and twist, transforming the surface into something that can seem sculptural. They are intricate, layered and detailed, often taking on surreal forms that bend reality.

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Otto Schade Interview

Interview with Otto Schade

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The Silhouettes and Sunsets

The other is his series of silhouettes and sunsets. These are painted fast and bold, often on illegal spots where speed is essential. A glowing sun sets behind stark black single layer imagery. Sometimes people, sometimes symbols. Always carrying a message. They can be painted in just 15 or 20 minutes, yet their impact can be lasting. For Schade, the silhouettes are a way of making a statement: against human trafficking, against war or against injustice. They are simple, direct, and effective.

“I’ve seen a lot of things that are unfair in life, and I try to say something about it. If the idea comes to me, I have to make it happen. Otherwise it gets stuck in my head.”

Messages for the Streets

That urgency is part of what makes his art resonate. His pieces aren’t designed only for galleries or collectors. They’re painted for everyone. Passers-by on the street can interpret them in their own way, sometimes seeing something completely different to what Schade intended. “I like that,” he says, “because it’s not just for the people who know about art. It’s for everyone.”

Art as Therapy

For Schade, painting is also deeply personal. It’s therapeutic, a way to express himself and stay healthy. His work has gained international recognition, becoming instantly recognisable. It’s led to commissions, festivals, and exhibitions across the world. Something that he says is a real bonus. What keeps him motivated is the act of creation itself, the search for something new.

Still Searching

“You can’t stop searching,” he reflects. “Some artists get stuck on one thing because it brings success, and they repeat it. I understand that, but I’m not that kind of guy. I prefer to keep looking, keep experimenting.”

Staying Fresh

And that search has kept Otto Schade’s work fresh and relevant. From the ribbon-wrapped figures that seem to breathe on the wall. To the powerful silhouettes painted against glowing sun. His art continues to evolve, always rooted in a desire to communicate something bigger than himself.

Otto Schade was interviewed for Artists of the East End on 23 September 2025. His exhibition ‘Trieze’ is showing from 14-19 October. A joint exhibition with Jay Kaes and Code FC it will show at 55 Curtain Road in Shoreditch. Find Otto on Instagram, Facebook, and his website.

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