Artist of the Month - January

Vittorio Ottaviani

BIO

 Born and raised in Italy, ‘Vic’ as he is known around town, is an international artist living and working in New York City. He moved to the US after graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts of Rome to pursue his goals in Fine Arts.

To execute his paintings, he uses the classical oil technique of “Fat over Lean” over gesso-prepared wood and canvas. He learned this time-honored process as an apprentice working under a master painter. Vic’s first US exhibit was in 2005 at the Butler Institute of American Art - OH. Since then, his works have been displayed around the US (Bronx Museum, Jonathan Levine Gallery) and abroad (South Korea, Italy)

STATEMENT

 The way I see it, real people make up everyday life situations so it is their strength, simplicity and logic when dealing with larger social issues that I choose to depict in my paintings.

My live for body language and narrative permits me to be a painter if character.

I try to capture the complexity of human personality through intricate facial expressions and body gestures. The use of darkness is intended to highlight and narrate the drama of the scenes.

To promote my work to the public, apply Guerrilla marketing and street art strategies. This unique and alternative approach is rooted in the DIY counter culture and has also taken cues from mainstream.  My objective is to target people in unexpected places (subway entrances, street poles) and engage them through thought-provoking images and content.

Press

Bronx News 12 - It’s Gonna Get Messy

Riverdale Press - A Creative Outpouring: Turning a Mess into Art

Riverdale Press - the Faces of An Beal Bocht

Riverdale Press - Kingsbridge Artist Brings Icy Perspective to Photos

Riverdale Press - Look Closer: Human Figures, In a New Way at An Beal Both Cafe

Riverdale Press - An Beal Bocht Opens Doors to Creepy Babies