Joseph Stanislaus Ostoja-Kotkowski

Joseph Stanislaus Ostoja-Kotkowski AM (also known as J.S Ostoja-Kotkowski, Ostoja and Stan Ostoja-Kotkowski; 28 December 1922 – 2 April 1994) was best known for his ground-breaking work in chromasonics, laser kinetics and 'sound and image' productions. He earned recognition in Australia and overseas for his pioneering work in laser sound and image technology. His work included painting (instrumental in developing geometric art in Australia), photography, film-making, theatre design, fabric design, murals, kinetic and static sculpture, stained glass, vitreous enamel murals, op-collages, computer graphics, and laser art.

He was born in Golub, Poland, originating from an old noble family that was part of the Clan of Ostoja.

Ostoga flourished between 1940 and 1994.

1940-1945

Ostoja studied drawing under Olgierd Vetesco in Przasnysz (Poland).

1945–1949

Ostoja completed studies at the Düsseldorf Academy of Fine Arts in Germany after winning a scholarship, and migrated to Australia.

Arriving in Melbourne, he enrolled at the Victorian School of Fine Arts National Gallery School under A. Summer and William Dargie and studied while he was working as a manual labourer.

1950-1955

Ostoja introduced the new abstract expression of Europe both to lecturers and students at the Victorian School of Art, Melbourne.

Settling in Stirling, in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, he had his first one-man Exhibition at the Royal Society of Arts in Adelaide.

1956 - 1957

Ostoja collaborated with Ian Davidson in the production of the short film Five South Australian Artists, and became involved in stage and theatre set design.

He co-produced several experimental films again with Ian Davidson, including The Quest of Time in 1957

Ostoja's work in abstract expression began to receive accolades. He won the Cornell Prize for the canvas "Form in Landscape", and designed the set for the play 'Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello

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