Serena Bocchino, an American Contemporary abstract artist, has carved a unique space in the realms of painting, sculpture, and installation. Her body of work, characterized by a lyrical synthesis of form and color, draws heavily on the vibrant history of Abstract Expressionism, the rhythmic spontaneity of modern dance, the improvisational spirit of jazz music, and the experimental ethos of the Fluxus movement. In the bustling, artistically fertile grounds of New York City’s East Village of the 1980s, Bocchino began a journey that would see her emerge as a formidable voice in contemporary abstract art.
After graduating from New York University, Bocchino’s artistic practice took flight amidst the cultural dynamism of the East Village. It was here that she honed her distinctive style—a style that marries improvisation with a deep, technical acumen. Her studio became a laboratory where visual art and music found a harmonious intersection, creating a visual language that speaks through colors, textures, and forms.
Bocchino’s approach to art is both methodical and spontaneous. She navigates her creative process like a jazz musician, taking conceptual riffs and turning them into intricate visual compositions that pulse with life. Her work is not just seen; it is experienced, felt in the way one feels the emotional depth of a melody or the kinetic energy of a dance.
The recognition of her unique style and contribution to the arts is widespread. Bocchino has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including awards from the Pollock Krasner Foundation and the Basil Alkazzi Foundation USA. Her artistic endeavors have also been supported by international residencies at prestigious institutions like PS1/MoMA and ESKFF at MANA Contemporary. Moreover, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts has honored her with grants in both Drawing and Painting, acknowledging her versatility and mastery in multiple mediums.
Over the years, Bocchino has held over 50 solo exhibitions, each a testament to her evolving artistic narrative and her ability to constantly push the boundaries of abstract art. Her works are celebrated and collected globally, residing in public spaces, prestigious museum collections, and private homes, bringing inspiration and introspection into diverse spaces.
One of Bocchino’s works, “Chartreuse Crossing,” exemplifies her masterful handling of color and form. This tondo painting—created with enamel paint and collage elements on canvas mounted on a round wooden stretcher—showcases her ability to manipulate texture and color to produce a vibrant, dynamic composition. The painting measures 36 inches in diameter, a space within which Bocchino constructs a universe of movement and color.
In “Chartreuse Crossing,” the ground is a vivid orange, setting a fiery backdrop against which shades of complementary blues dance vibrantly. The collage elements—shaped cutouts of cheesecloth—are meticulously glued onto the canvas, creating a textured surface that beckons the enamel paint, applied in varying consistencies. This technique creates a ‘push-pull’ effect, a visual push and pull that adds depth and intensity to the piece.
The composition is cleverly centered using iconic cross imagery, reminiscent of spokes on a wheel, around which the other elements whirl. This cyclical movement within the painting evokes a sense of perpetual motion, akin to the spinning of a kaleidoscope. Bocchino’s bold use of complementary colors enhances the luminosity of the artwork, making it shine with an almost solar radiance.
Serena Bocchino’s art is more than just visually arresting; it is an invitation to explore the deeper connections between different artistic mediums and the world around us. Her work challenges viewers to perceive the nuances of emotion and movement, to hear the color and see the sound. In her canvases, we find the rhythm of life itself, captured in bold strokes and radiant hues.
As Bocchino continues to explore and expand the boundaries of abstract art, her contributions remain vital to the contemporary art landscape, resonating with a clarity and depth that is profoundly moving. Her journey is a vivid illustration of where passion meets discipline, where art meets soul, making her one of the most influential abstract artists of her time.
