BRUCE PORTER

Bruce Porter’s work addresses epic and mythological themes and juxtaposes them with pop and cartoon elements. Porter’s disparate imagery stems not from a contradictory variety of influences, but rather he weaves together diverse biographical elements. His paintings reference styles of graffiti and epitomize the energy of New York City, his home since the 1970s, while also channeling the nostalgic color palette of his childhood in Rochester, New York. Porter synthesizes these influences to create a graphic vernacular uniquely his own. He titles his pieces after Greek gods and other mythological figures. This nomenclature reflects Porter’s love of Greek myths and alludes to the visceral power of epic narrative. Porter’s work was first lauded in print by Carter Ratcliff writing in Harold Reed Gallery’s 1979 exhibition catalogue New York, New Talent.