Fall colors have arrived at Ocean Galleries, including works by Josef Kote, Albanian-born, New York-based visual artist best known for his unique vision and distinctive style.
Born in 1964, Josef Kote began a journey toward artistic self-discovery in his youth and never looked back. Like a moth to a flame, Kote was innately drawn to the blank canvas; paint flowed like blood through his veins. Discovering his artistic talent at the tender age of 14, Kote entered a competition to secure a spot at a prestigious art school. He was subsequently accepted into The National Lyceum of Arts in Tirana, Albania, where he began in earnest to pursue his traditional European art school education. After studying there for four years, he went on to attend the Academy of Fine Arts in Tirana, receiving his diploma in painting and scenography.
Kote’s style evolved and flourished as he traveled away from his homeland and gained professional experience in film animation, scenography, visual arts, painting and more. Slowly but surely, Kote gained the respect of his peers and the art community at large for his unique style and skill. He began receiving numerous prestigious awards as well as public and private collectors’ acknowledgements.
Relocations to Greece, Toronto and New York helped Kote to evolve artistically, leaving his impressionable mark upon the art world everywhere he has lived. Kote now resides and paints in New York, but who knows what beautiful permutations the future holds for one of modern art’s greatest voices.
According to Ocean Galleries owner Kim Miller, “No artist has ever provided us with such energy and forward motion as Josef Kote.” Josef’s abstract realism is recognizable and the quality within each canvas exudes a mastery and color vibrancy as well as controlled abstractions. Expect a marvelous exhibition of original paintings and limited editions on canvas, beautifully framed and displayed throughout the gallery.
Kote says, “Art has been a part of my life for so long that it has become a reflection of my journey, and I have taken a long road thus far. The love of art has been my only tool in sensitizing growth and filtering emotions. My artistic process is a result of fearless experiments to find my own form of expression.
To me art is limitless, and my art has been born and grows with me. I’ve found that changes in my work and technique have been reflective of changes in my life.”
Come see the extraordinary works of Josef Kote this Labor Day Weekend at Ocean Galleries’ Stone Harbor location, 9618 Third Ave., open daily from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. The Avalon location, 2199 Ocean Dr., is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, call (609) 368-7777 or visit www.oceangalleries.com.