BORZOTTA ARTS-Art/Classes/Events/Networking : Kortez: Esoteric Urbanism

Kortez is a graduate of the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts (NSFIA). He fell in love with art at an early age and credits his parents as early influences in his life and art. His mother exposed him to the works of artists like Picasso, Warhol and Dali. While his father, a biologist, shared abstract sketches of single-celled organisms from biology books where Kortez saw art in those images. Kortez often uses reclaimed materials and objects and mixes them with a deep sense of emotion, bold and bright colors to create art. Collages, one of his favorite art mediums, tell of social injustices such as racism, poverty, war, and police brutality. Using news clippings and photographs to tell a story, he then adds brush strokes of color to complete the work.

His other works include paintings that reflect the faces and people that have lined the fabric of his life. Over the last year abstractions have been on his menu. The paintings are a combination of bright representations of his love and his relationship with his new wife, Bridgett Artise who is a sustainable fashion designer. The paintings also combine images derived from the artist's old drawings from college and his own Father's abstract sketches Kortez used to see as a kid. The influence of both his wife and his Father make these abstract paintings truly unique and the artist is still exploring the creative possibilities with this new style.

Since meeting his wife the two opened up a Sustainable Fashion Boutique called House of B.A.V.. The store's focus is upcycle and vintage fashion and they also exhibit Kortez' art and the fashion he and his wife collaborate on. The store is a creative endeavor the couple cherish and its a community hub even in the midst of an International pandemic. More information about Kortez can be found at www.esotericurbanism.com. Find out more about the store and shop 24/7 by going to www.houseofbav.com.

Kortez: Esoteric Urbanism