Otgonbayar Ershuu

One of the longtime works of Otgonbayar Ershuu has been his "Secret History of the Mongols – related in the style of Mongolian painting as a comic." This comic consists of about 600 pages, which are divided into 12 chapters. Each page features several pictures amounting to a work of about altogether 3000 drawings. The "Secret History of the Mongols" was written about 800 years ago and is considered the oldest and most significant Mongolian work of literature – as myth, epos and chronic all at once. It did not contain any illustrations originally. In order to make this history more comprehensive and interesting for all ages, Ershuu decided to transform the content of this significant work into Mongolian miniature painting. The idea emerged from his belief that the viewing of images is often easier than reading. One of his main concerns during the development of the comic was to portray ethnic features of the Mongols as well as historical facts and artifacts as precisely and genuine as possible. Therefore, he had to pursue extensive researches which led him into various academic areas. By including miniature painting in his work he intended to capture something characteristically and traditionally Mongolian.

(Åsa Jonsén newspaper review „Nerikes Allehanda“ newspaper, 11/17/2007 (Örebro, Sweden) (Translation by Elisa Kohl-Carrity))

Gallery ZURAG, founded in 2010 by Otgonbayar Ershuu is located in the middle of Berlin, one of the world's most vibrant art capitals. It is the first gallery founded and operated by a Mongol outside of Mongolia. The name of the gallery defines its philosophy: the Mongolian word ZURAG (Mongolian: ЗУРАГ ) means image, painting, drawing, photograph and depiction – in short, it encourages diversity of expression. ZURAG Gallery aims to become more than just an exhibition space; it seeks to be a place of cultural and artistic exchange in which the perception of Mongolian culture is sharpened.

(Martina Busch, Berlin 2010) (Translation by Elisa Kohl-Carrity)

(Uwe Ahnert, gallery owner, Collection Freudenberg, Berlin 2009) (Translation by Elisa Kohl-Carrity)

He grew up among seven siblings and one adoptive brother and was fascinated by painting ever since his childhood. His talent was discovered and by the age of 15 years he had his own solo exhibitions. From 1996 to 1998 Otgonbayar studied "traditional Mongolian painting" in Ulan Bator and received his degree as a painter. Feeling a deep connection with his home country, he decided to learn the craft of Mongolian miniature painting. There was, however, no course of study in this subject, and he acquired the skill within a six-year period of auto-didactic study. During the years 1998 and 2004, Otgonbayar traveled to Mongolia's historic sites and took part in numerous cultural and social projects. During his academic studies he created around 400 pictures. After his studies he participated in several expeditions to historical sites in Mongolia as a painter and conservator. Otgonbayar studied the different techniques and iconography of the miniature paintings as well as their spiritual backgrounds at the Buddhist-lamaist monasteries. He has been active as a freelance artist since 1998. In addition to his free artistic works he has created around 600 "research images." Ershuu has been living in Berlin since 2005. From 2007 to 2010 he studied at the Institute for Art in Context, Faculty of Fine Arts, Berlin University of the Arts and graduated with a Masters of Arts in 2010. Otgonbayar Ershuu has been exhibiting his work in international exhibitions in Japan, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, India, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Poland, Romania, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Moldova and Mongolia.

Otgonbayar Ershuu (Mongolian: Эршүүгийн Отгонбаяр ; * 18 January 1981 in Ulan Bator) is a Mongolian painter. His artist name is OTGO.