Otto Djaya was born in Rangkasbitung - Banten - in 1916.

He learned to paint at the PERSAGI atelier during the Dutch colonial period. His elder brother Agus Djaya was at that time chairman of this first Indonesian Painters Union. 

He received his officer training during the Japanese occupation, and then took part in the armed struggle for the independence as major in the Indonesian army.After incapacitated as an army officer, he retreated from the army and returned to his original habitat :' the world of fine art'.

After the proclamation he got the opportunity to study in Holland at the Rijks Academie v, Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, He also made a complete study tour arround Europe. He also participated in the grand prix de peinture de Monaco in Monte Carlo, and the Bienale of Sao Paolo in Brasil. Beside many one man shows in Jakarta , he often took part in several joint exhibitions in Indonesia as well as abroad.

After a serious paralysis attack a few years ago, Otto Djaya is now lying disabled in his excruciating old age.