John Vitale｜Broken Tongues｜Original

About the Artist - John Vitale 

Born in Illinois, USA in 1979, John Vitale has lived in various places such as Georgia, Northern California, and Oregon. Currently, he works in a studio in New York, engaging in artistic creation. On one hand, Vitale is the founder and art director of the skateboard brand 'Killing Floor,' and on the other hand, he is involved in artistic pursuits. Influenced by street culture, Vitale's skateboard works primarily feature collage visuals, while his artistic style is characterized by minimalist color block abstract art. He has held solo exhibitions multiple times at Chefas Projects in Oregon and is set to establish a new gallery space, Pollyanna Projects, in New York in 2024. Additionally, he has exhibited solo and participated in group exhibitions in Seattle, Texas, New York, and other locations.

About the Work

Vitale has mentioned that the points, lines, and shapes in his works are organic, flowing through the canvas guided by self-awareness. Minor adjustments can create imbalance in the overall composition, and his ultimate creative pursuit is to find balance among the various elements on the canvas. The canvas features raised lines, flat borders, subtle brushstrokes, and thick or brushed areas on large color blocks, constructing layers and depth. In his creations, Vitale adeptly utilizes variations in color to create negative space on the canvas. These negative spaces open up perspectives, providing viewers with a deeper and more immersive void experience. The use of color also helps highlight the presence of negative space.

For Vitale, color is a primary element in his works, generating powerful emotional fields. He employs a cool color palette to convey stability and warm colors to express aggression. The interplay of these cool and warm color schemes stimulates visual reception, creating a dynamic interaction for the viewer. Vitale describes himself as a medium, letting a calm inner voice guide the final direction of his artwork. Whether in color or form, he aims for a harmonious fullness, infusing every inch of the canvas with vitality and tension.