!["Things to come," by Julio Cotto, mixed media on wood](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large_lightbox/hash/58/7e/587edd1ea52ec93067d951cd98cf9dc9.jpg?itok=x266sVP- ""Things to come," by Julio Cotto, mixed media on wood")
Inspired by childhood memories of his grandfather's portfolio of spaceships he used to draw and paint when he was a child, Cotto creates a time traveling space odyssey in his bold graphic illustration style.
Voted ‘Best Local Visual Artist 2004 and 2006’ by Charleston City Paper readers, Julio Cotto returns to Charleston with a fresh new series of work. The Day the Peacemaker Made Peace, Cotto’s upcoming solo exhibit at SCOOP Studios, displays a series centered on the development of his graphic novel of the same title.
Explorations of the Wild West and science fiction are major themes in the works on display, highlighting sketches, ideas and lines from his novel. The exhibit will also feature works by Cotto’s grandfather, Abednego Rivera, who was a great influence on the artist.
“There are two main characters living in two very different worlds” Cotto says of his novel. “In this show I wanted to convey the loneliness of the hero and heroine.”
This fusion of western and sci-fi aesthetic is an image Cotto hopes will challenge the viewer’s imagination.
The opening reception is free and open to the public on January 22, 2010 from 6-9pm. Machete, of the DJ super group, Electric Friends, will play sounds inspired by Cotto's new works.
SCOOP Studios is located at 57 1/2 Broad St. in the downtown historic district of Charleston, SC. Established in 2009, the gallery exhibits a diverse selection of local and international emerging contemporary artists with a primary focus on painting and mixed media.
Comments
Thank you so much for the article. Just a couple corrections. My grandfather had no figurine collection. He collected children. He and my grandmother had nine of them. I was inspired by his portfolio of spaceships he used to draw and paint when I was a child. Select pieces will be in the show. And I was voted 'Best Local Visual Artist' by Charleston City Paper readers in 2008 as well, before I moved to Greenville, SC for a year. I am happy to be back in Charleston, where I have a lot of support for my arts. Thank you guys! I hope to see you at my show!
a comment from the artist herself - cool.
I love the style and hope attend the reception at Scoop Studio.
thanks for the correction Julio - I'll look into fixing it!
The opening was a real blast - the DJ was pumping the jams, and the art was so cool! Super-cool crowd and gallery!
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