Artistic Evolution and Style Development
Schade began with oil painting on canvas but later explored diverse styles and materials, from collage and illustration to freehand spray painting on both canvas and walls. In the early days, he used the alias “Osch,” creating works with sharp, ironic twists and strong anti-war messages. "At first, people compared my work to Banksy because of the similar messages, so I knew I needed to develop my own unique language to stand out," he recalls. Quickly, he transitioned to using his full name and developed his unique “ribbon” style. Today, Otto Schade’s eclectic works can be found on the streets of Berlin, Amsterdam, Moscow, Paris, Barcelona, Porto, Luxembourg, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Brussels, and, of course, London.

Pop Art and the Ribbon Style
Currently, Schade’s work leans heavily into pop art, depicting recognizable figures or elements in his unique ribbon style. Often, these ribbons unravel from within the characters, taking on lives of their own. Sometimes, they represent city streets or rivers, at other times police tape at crime scenes, and occasionally they’re soft fabric ribbons that delicately envelop and shape the figure.

In an interview, Schade shared, “My work is a fusion between my love for architecture and my obsession with surrealism. I love taking familiar elements and adding a surprising twist that raises questions and encourages thought. It’s my way of communicating with the viewer, letting them bring their inner voice to my work.”