Thoth Adan Artist's Impression
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Silence is a source of great strength.
— Laozi —

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Thoth is a Swiss-born, Austrian-based artist who primarily works with Sumi ink and mineral pigments on Japanese Washi paper. His paintings are abstract, minimal, gestural and introspective, drawing inspiration from Eastern philosophies and aesthetics, and Western art movements such as Abstract Expressionism and Post-Minimalism. You are invited to read more about his background and personal approach.

About |

| Work

Thoth prefers to work in long-term series, regularly returning to explore new facets of the underlying concepts. In this way, all of his paintings can be attributed to one of the following seven groups of work.

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currently active series:

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Breath Meditation

Breath Meditations
repetitive markmaking
2022⸻

An abstract black and gray ink wash painting on paper with a red seal and signature on the right side.

Contemplations
color field paintings
2022⸻2026

A collage made of partially recolored, dark brown tiles (retrieved Washi paper).

Fragmentations
reclaimed + patched works
2024⸻2025

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currently paused series:

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Watercolor painting of green butterflies and pink flowers on a light beige background with red and black Asian calligraphy.

Lyricals
elusive impressions
2023⸻2025

Abstract watercolor painting with black and gray horizontal bands on a white background with red and black Japanese characters in the top left corner.

Condensed Matters
crystalline structures
2021⸻2024

Abstract watercolor painting resembling a circular whirlpool or vortex in shades of gray and black on a beige background, with a small red seal and handwritten signature below.

Ensō + Co.
circular forms
2019⸻2026

Abstract black ink brush strokes on white background, with red seal and signature at the bottom right.

Taograms
gestural + calligraphic expressions
2018⸻2025

In addition to his paintings, Thoth regularly releases fine art giclée prints that merge his analog brushwork with a digital approach. This body of work is also organized into thematic series.

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Black ink splatters and circular brush strokes on a white background, resembling abstract art.

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West Meets East
black and white minimalism
2018⸻2025

Abstract watercolor painting with black ink blots forming a symmetrical pattern around a central circle with a light halo, on a beige background.

Études Circulaires
a circular journey
2021

A black ink brush circle on a white background with Japanese kanji and the word 'Circle' in multiple languages below.

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A wall decorated with multiple pieces of abstract art in various sizes, with a dining table and chairs in the foreground.

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Social |

Thoth is not a recluse but values working alone, focusing intently on his art and thoughts. Through Instagram, he opens a window to this ‘ivory tower,’ allowing for exchange with others and the sharing of inspiration. His social media presence is centered around his art and process, rather than personal visibility. If you would like to join him on this journey, you are very welcome!

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@t.adan.art

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15/30_Threaded &mdash; The purity of diluted ink drops on natural Washi &mdash; simple and striking. This is what I love about these works. &mdash; Threaded is the latest. Claiming the Void, shown below, is the largest I've created so far in this ap
14/30_Gestalt N&deg;1-3 &mdash; Hors de s&eacute;rie &mdash; they don't fit neatly into any single series. Created three years ago, these pieces share characteristics of both Contemplations and Taograms, but align fully with neither. &mdash; I oscil
13/30_Two Squares At Dawn &mdash; This is the second painting of what became my Condensed Matter series &mdash; created with only two brushstrokes. &mdash; Condensed Matter is an exploration of reduction, concentration, and crystallization. It draws
12/30_Fragmentation N&deg;68 &mdash; In my studio, I collect discarded Washi papers &mdash; a purposeful way to minimize waste. This practice birthed the Fragmentation series. &mdash; Recently, I added Memories &mdash; small collaged and overpainted
11/30_Taogram N&deg;24 &mdash; The Taogram series evolved from calligraphy into something else: deliberate marks capturing a single moment in time, without depicting references. Snapshots of the Tao &mdash; the ongoing, underlying flow of existence.
10/30_Haiku N&deg;30 &mdash; An airy visual poem &mdash; elusive, spontaneous. Four gestural brushstrokes in Azurite. &mdash; I initially called this series Haiku, inspired by the form's concept of brevity and essence. Later, I broadened it beyond th
09/30_Quote by Laozi &mdash; I shared this quote before. 37 years ago, I heard it for the first time &mdash; sung by Alice in her song Il Sole Nella Pioggia (The Sun in the Rain). The beauty of those Taoist-influenced lyrics, combined with that somb
08/30_Silent Strata &mdash; Among the Contemplation series, I developed a body of works I call Unfoldings &mdash; inspired by Origami, Shibori, and the concept of the Rorschach Test. I fold paper, apply ink and pigments, then unfold to reveal what em
06/30_Malevich's Window &mdash; I love this work &mdash; a study reciting Malevich's Black Square. The original painting suffered a major ink stain, rendering it unusable. Digital retouching salvaged the image; a print became the solution. The damage
05/30_Breath Meditation N&deg;20 &mdash; If memory serves (and it usually does :-), this was my first Breath Meditation using Q-tips &mdash; dipped in a mixture of Sumi and Shellac ink, applied to moistened paper. The two inks behave differently. The
04/30_Ensō N&deg;1 &mdash; This is likely my best-known work &mdash; one of my first Ensō ever, drawn while I was still a graphic designer taking a Chinese calligraphy course. Created for a client presentation that never happened. &mdash; Years later

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