Dope Paintings by Joseph Bottari

“DOPE serves as a juxtaposition, referencing both positive and negative connotations. It’s meaning is often misconstrued by the overlapping of two generations. Much like it’s illusion-based elements of vibration and after-image that it provides to the viewer, I didn’t immediately understand why I was producing it more and more, but in an increasingly sublime way. As cliche as it sounds, I’ve begun to understand why… simply because the phrase is still controversial in today’s society and often taken out of context. I am looking to shed light on the positive aspects and multiplicity of meanings.” – Joseph Bottari

Joseph Bottari was born in the Iron Bound section of Newark, New Jersey in 1981. Elements as diverse as growing up fishing the elusive waters of Florida Bay to understanding the key elements in Modern and structural engineering have strongly influenced Joseph towards the direction of illusion and manipulation of his mediums. Bottari graduated as validictorian from welding and drafting school in Linden, NJ to become a master welder in aeronautics in under a year. In 2008 Joseph was forced to open up a different creative avenue and leave welding behind due to knee surgery as a result of complications from a life of skateboarding. Much like skateboarding and welding have taught him about dedication and consistency, Joseph decided to pursue the arts full time, turning towards the disciplined teachings of Berlin’s Bauhaus and the artists of Post Modern Op Art thus shifting his style by mashing both Op illusion and Neo-dada together. Joseph Bottari’s DOPE series is currently represented by both Guy Hepner Gallery,NY, NY and Dorian Grey Gallery, NY, NY.