| Brian Kokoska | |
|---|---|
Brian Kokoska in his Brooklyn studio, 2011 |
|
| Born | 1988 Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Field | Contemporary art, Painting, New media art |
| Training | Emily Carr University of Art and Design |
Brian Kokoska (born 1988, Vancouver, Canada) is a Canadian artist based in New York. He attended Emily Carr University of Art and Design, graduating with a BFA in early 2010. Later that year he gained notoriety after moving to New York City. Kokoska is known for his eerie expressionistic paintings often depicting young men, masks, flowers, and other scenery. He also creates computer made images in the form of limited edition zines and posters.
Kokoska's paintings have been featured in both print and online publications including artUS Magazine,[1] V Magazine,[2] VMAN Magazine,[3] and Canadian Art Magazine.[4]His works are part of various private collections internationally, and have been exhibited throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad. The artist is recognized as one of the top 1000 living painters in contemporary art by Amerstam's Art Initiative Verfhond.[5]
At NADA Art Fair Miami Beach 2011 Kokoska's paintings were exhibited alongside works by Jeremy Shaw and Brett Lund with Canadian gallery Blanket Contemporary Art Inc. In Mexico City, his work was featured in the site specific group exhibition "Nothingness and Being Skinny" with Terence Koh and AVAF. Additionally his paintings are included in "SO GAY!" an online project by The Apartment archiving notable contemporary gay male artists, also including Bruce LaBruce, Bjarne Melgaard, and Paul P.
Many of Kokoska's paintings are figurative and deal with sexuality, fetish, ritual, and gender, combined with elements of abstraction and text. His shows are frequently accompanied by self-made posters, referencing nightclub printouts, which act as both art and promotion for the exhibit. Brian currently lives and works in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.