Bötschi asks Noah di Bettschen "Drinking felt like a hug from my father"
Noah di Bettschen is 22 and has achieved what some artists never do: he makes a living from selling his paintings. A conversation about the art market, difficult family circumstances and too much alcohol.
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- Noah di Bettschen broke off his apprenticeship and became a painter.
- It was less than three years ago that the now 22-year-old painted his first picture.
- In this short time, di Bettschen has achieved what many artists fail to do their whole lives: he finances his life by selling his paintings.
- Over the past three years, Noah di Bettschen has painted people who are homeless or addicted to drugs in Los Angeles, New York, London and Zurich.
- blue News visited the painter in his studio in Zurich.
Noah di Bettschen grew up in Ebnat-Kappel in Toggenburg. At school, he was considered a dreamer. At some point, there were too few opportunities to pursue these fantasies in the countryside.
"I didn't like life as a country bumpkin," says di Bettschen.
When he was 14, he often took the train to Zurich in the evenings to go skateboarding. He felt accepted there. And he felt at home.
His father died when Noah was five years old
Noah's father died when he was five years old. Noah didn't know for a long time that his father was a drug addict. His father was gone early. Forever. His story was not.
As a teenager, Noah di Bettschen and his mother often clashed. There were arguments. Noah tried to escape. He went skateboarding even more often. At some point, he started drinking alcohol excessively.
Noah's story is typical of children whose mothers or fathers are addicted. "Drinking alcohol felt like a hug from my father," says di Bettschen.
Noah finances his life by selling his paintings
Today, Noah di Bettschen works as a painter. He no longer drinks. He doesn't take any other drugs either.
The 22-year-old has achieved in a short space of time what many artists never manage their entire lives: He finances his life by selling his paintings.
Noah is a person who speaks thoughtfully and openly about his life. And his art. Art that has to do with his family history.
Over the past three years, Noah di Bettschen has painted people who are homeless or addicted to drugs in Los Angeles, New York, London and Zurich. blue News visited the artist in his studio in Zurich.
Transparency note: This article was first published on July 13, 2024.
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