"Wet Dreams" a solo exhibition by Franky Agostino

   I first met Franky Agostino a few years ago. I have seen Agostino's work online and we had mutual artist friends. I thought his art was a good fit for  Lestats Coffee shop in Normal Heights. We met one day to hang some of his work. He brought six paintings with him, one of which was a painting of a cat walking between a woman's legs. He might of said something about it being too erotic, at the time, but I didn't really give it a second thought. I saw a cat and a nude woman reclining on her back, and I knew the owner of Lestats liked cats. Within a week I was contacted that there were multiple complaints about the piece. One of which a child asked his mother , " Whats that cat doing between that woman's legs?" It seems that children always ask questions that make people uncomfortable. So, not wanting to offend, we replaced the painting with something less erotic. It's a trademark of Agostino, he loves women and it shows in his art.

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Agostino was born in Spain and traveled back and forth to the States, eventually settling here in 1996. Spanish painters are quite different than American artists, and it's clear that Agostino shares many of these traits. The Spanish painter is happy and lives for the experience which is life. He wears bright colored clothing, paints things that are beautiful and stays away from dark subject matter and depressing themes. Agostino always seems to be in a good mood, never depressed, happy to work with other artists by collaborating on a piece or just helping them out. Agostino has adopted the motto, Art, Love, Life. To him art is therapy, and art itself is a way of life.

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Agostino is inspired by Salvador Dali, one of Spain's most famous surrealist artists. I like it when an artist admits he is inspired by another artists work and is not afraid to paint in a similar style. Agostino has painted several homages and portraits of Dali.

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    The ocean is a common theme for Agostino. Aquatic life can be beautiful and also dangerous. Angelfish and lion fish are often displayed in Agostino's paintings. Representing beauty and danger. Paintings of octopus and starfish clinging to peoples faces like they were being kissed and bound by them at the same time. The ocean is Agostino's playground for his thoughts and dreams.

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    "Wet Dreams" a solo exhibition by Franky Agostino, opens Saturday, August 3rd at Visual Art Supply on Adams ave in Normal Heights. Meet the artist from 6 to 10  pm. The show is on display for 2 weeks.

"WET DREAMS"

Aug 3, 2013
6pm – 10pm
3524 Adams Ave. SD 92116

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