Serena Bocchino is a contemporary abstract artist celebrated for her adventurous experimentation with painting, sculpture, and installation. Emerging from the East Village art scene of the 1980s, Bocchino’s creations are deeply influenced by a diverse array of sources, including Abstract Expressionism, modern dance, jazz, and the Fluxus movement. Her work seamlessly merges improvisation with a solid technical foundation, producing a distinct visual language that integrates color, media, and form. At the heart of her artistic exploration is the interplay between visual art and music, resulting in pieces that engage both sight and sound.
SEETHRU: A Dynamic Exploration
One of Bocchino’s standout creations is SEETHRU, a captivating piece from her Windows Series unveiled in 2023. This 36 x 50-inch artwork intricately weaves together geometric shapes and organic forms using enamel paint and collage elements on canvas. The resulting composition exudes a lively tension through its combination of loosely defined shapes and delicate graphite lines.
Upon first glance, SEETHRU evokes the beauty of stained glass, enhanced by its soft, translucent color palette. These colors do more than adorn the canvas; they symbolize the intricate dance between light and sound, embodying Bocchino’s exploration of sensory perception. Each line and form seems to vibrate with an inner rhythm, inviting viewers to feel the dynamic movement that pulses just beneath the surface.
Bocchino’s artistic process is both methodical and spontaneous. She draws parallels between her creative journey and the improvisational nature of jazz, experimenting with color and form in a way that mirrors the fluidity of musical expression. This approach imbues her compositions with life, fostering an emotional connection that transcends mere visual engagement.
Stay with Orange: A Vivid Experience
Another work from the Windows Series is Stay with Orange, a 16 x 20-inch piece crafted on painted rag paper using enamel paint. This artwork showcases Bocchino’s command of color theory, with a vibrant orange dominating the canvas and infusing it with warmth and vitality. The interaction of overlapping shapes and spontaneous doodles creates a sense of depth reminiscent of complex musical compositions.
In Stay with Orange, Bocchino further explores biomorphic forms, suggesting a fluidity that evokes movement. The vivid colors and textured surface of the rag paper encourage viewers to pause and delve into the relationship between the painted forms and their surrounding space. This piece transforms color into a sensory experience, inviting emotional engagement that goes beyond mere observation.
SAXING: Sculptural Expressions of Rhythm
SAXING, a work from her Stationary Sculpture Series (2022), is made from wood, wire, paint, and clay, and measures 26 x 25 x 4 inches, exemplifying her ability to translate musical themes into three-dimensional art.
SAXING transcends conventional sculpture, embodying the essence of music through its dynamic arrangement of materials. The interplay of wire and painted surfaces conjures a sense of rhythm and motion, akin to the fluidity of jazz. With its intimate dimensions, this sculpture invites viewers to connect personally with Bocchino’s exploration of the relationship between sound and visual art.
Blue Bebop: An Energetic Composition
Another sculpture is Blue Bebop (2022), which employs enamel paint, wire, and painted acrylic pieces to reflect the energy of the bebop jazz movement. Measuring 22 x 13 x 12 inches, this work encapsulates the vibrancy and complexity inherent in its musical counterpart.
In Blue Bebop, Bocchino’s artistic vision comes alive as she combines various materials to emphasize both movement and form. The playful arrangement of components captures the improvisational essence of jazz, inviting viewers to experience a tangible fusion of sound and sight.
Conclusion
Serena Bocchino’s artwork transports us into a space where visual art and music intertwine. Through creations like SEETHRU, Stay with Orange, SAXING, and Blue Bebop, she encourages an exploration of color, form, and sound that challenges traditional boundaries. Each piece acts as an entry point into an immersive experience, showcasing Bocchino’s deep understanding of how different artistic disciplines can connect.
