Anthony Viti

Anthony Viti: Exploring Grief Through Monochrome Crosses

Anthony Viti (born Rochester, United States of America, 1961) is an American artist currently residing in Brooklyn, New York, where he pursues a dual vocation as visual artist and art educator. He teaches at School of Visual Arts and Parsons, shaping the next generation of creatives while simultaneously engaging in his own prolific artistic practice—a dedication that has earned him recognition from prestigious foundations like the Pollock-Krasner Foundation and Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, cementing his position as a respected figure within the contemporary art landscape. His work speaks to profound themes of loss, identity, and vulnerability, transforming them into powerful visual statements that resonate deeply with audiences worldwide. Viti’s artistic journey began with an unwavering commitment to confronting difficult subjects head-on—a characteristic inherited from artists like Marlene Dumas and Sigmar Polke, whose groundbreaking explorations of representation mirrored his own desire to delve beneath surface appearances. Influenced by their stylistic boldness, he adopted a distinctive visual language rooted in Romanticism, prioritizing textural brushwork and emotive color palettes alongside deliberate monochrome investigations. This stylistic preference is particularly striking in his series of paintings titled “Elegy,” which serves as a direct response to Marlene Dumas’s iconic artwork "Iron Cross"—a transformative reimagining of Christian symbolism into an emblem of sorrow and remembrance. The artist meticulously applies textured paint—often utilizing palette knives—creating palpable surfaces that convey a sense of vulnerability and immediacy, mirroring his preoccupation with themes of mourning and capturing the essence of grief. His exhibitions have traversed continents, showcasing his singular vision at venues such as Art During the Occupation Gallery in Brooklyn, Hudson D. Walker Gallery in Provincetown, MA; deven golden fine art in New York, NY; tibor de nagy gallery in New York, NY; leslie-lohman museum of gay and lesbian art; Cobra Museum in Amsterdam; SCA Contemporary Art in Albuquerque; sue scott gallery in New York, NY; kinkead contemporary in Culver City, CA; david krut projects in New York, NY. Notably, his inclusion in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art—a testament to the enduring impact of his explorations into human experience and psychological introspection—underscores the significance of his artistic endeavors. Beyond painting, Viti’s sculptural practice reflects similar textural concerns as his canvases, often incorporating reclaimed materials and challenging conventional forms. His sculptures engage with notions of materiality and decay, mirroring the artist's broader contemplation on mortality and accepting the inevitable passage of time. Furthermore, he actively fosters creativity within aspiring artists through his teaching positions at School of Visual Arts and Parsons—a role that ensures the continuation of his artistic legacy and contributes to shaping the future of visual arts education. His work has garnered critical acclaim for its unflinching honesty and its ability to provoke contemplation about societal anxieties—qualities that distinguish him from many contemporary artists. Anthony Viti’s enduring contribution to art lies in his unwavering dedication to confronting uncomfortable truths through innovative mediums, leaving an indelible mark on the artistic canon and inspiring generations of creatives to explore similar themes with courage and conviction.