ROBERT SANTORÉ
”These Colors Taste Like Music”
Robert Santoré is an American artist known for his colorful emotional paintings that blend elements of both the figurative and abstract.
Born in Houston 1961 he is a 5th generation Texan. Santoré grew up in the UK and later in Huntington, Newport and Laguna Beaches in Souther California. From an early age embraced surfing and the “Southern California beach lifestyle.“
The oldest child in a creative family enabled his talent to be recognized early where he spent most of his life in the art world.
Santoré attended Parson’s School of Design in New York City and went on to study at the The Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles where he honed his skills as a painter.
He began exhibiting his work in the 1980s and became well-known for his distinctive approach and vibrant color choices.
Santoré’s paintings often feature abstracted figures, words and phases, urban landscapes, and methodological elements that are rendered in a bold and expressive manner evoking a sense of energy and movement. He is characterized by his use of vibrant colors and strong, gestural brushstrokes.
He was heavily influenced by the Abstract Expressionist & POP ART movement of the 1950s and 60s, which emphasized the emotional and physical act of painting and ironic pop-art commentary.
Santoré’s art career has been marked by a constant evolution, with his work reflecting his exploration of new techniques and styles. He has experimented with various mediums, such as oil paint, encaustic, acrylics, gouache, watercolors, military and industrial enamels, and has depicted a diverse range of subjects, including the human figure, urban landscapes, and the ocean.
He frequently employs a technique called “Alla Prima,” which involves applying wet paint to wet paint in order to create a sense of immediacy and energy in the final work.
“I want my paintings to stand alone, to speak for themselves. am only the conduit.” He believes that art is a universal language which communicate across cultures and languages.
In addition to painting, Santoré is also a prolific printmaker, creating etchings, lithographs, and other editions continuing to today.
His works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums across the United States and around the world, and is held in many private and public collections.
He is currently working in his Manhattan New York studio located in the historic Soho neighborhood focusing on his vibrant and expressive art. His work continues to inspire and captivate viewers as a talented, innovative artist who pushes the boundaries of contemporary painting.
His works continue to attract and move viewers with their raw emotional power and his dynamic visual language.
