Augustinekofie.info will be the new home of all of my studio and exhibition works as of Summer 2014.

A comprehensive view of my collage, paintings and exhibition exploits, past and present.

Keepdrafting has been the home of all of my creative exploits since 2001 an will remain so, but shall maintain a focus on public works and up to date projects. 

A. Kofie & Moneyless  / Assioma No. 01

30 x 42 (76 x 106 cm) acrylic on paper.

Acrylic on 300 lb acid free paper. Finished in satin varnish.Framed.

A.Kofie & Moneyless/ Assioma No. 02

39 x 27.5 in. (100 cm x 70 cm)

Acrylic and spraypaint on wood. 

Finished in satin varnish. Framed.

A.Kofie & Moneyless/ Assioma Installation

Acrylic & spray paint

231 sq ft, 7 x 11 = A.Kofie, 14 x 11 = moneyless 

View Large 

Gallery view of the Assioma exhibition at Avantgarden Gallery, Milano, Italy

A. Kofie & Moneyless

Avantgarden Gallery, Milan

March 20 - April 23

Avantgarden

Via Cadolini, 29
20137 Milano

 Assioma

A. Kofie & Moneyless

Avantgarden Gallery, Milan

March 20 - April 23

Avantgarden

Via Cadolini, 29
20137 Milano

The ASSIOMA is the ultimate Starting Point.

By definition and its nature it doesn’t require any arguments to unravel, there are no secrets to uncover, no relativistic misunderstandings when you state it. In Math it’s a self-evident concept, a postulate whose Truth is proven and taken for granted in an immediate and intuitive way; an axiom is therefore obviously indemonstrable and yet basically already demonstrated because it comes with an irrefutable universal recognition, given its lack of mathematical and narrative rhetorical connections.

What is an axiom then, if not the Original and unquestionable concept from which all theories flow like a waterfall? It’s the safe foundation on which we can “gamble“ in order to give life to new variables, that are driven by ground rules that turn hat’s necessary into something useful to analyze reality.

These two artists met in San Francisco in 2010. They share a mutual respect, on a personal and professional level, and a similar sensibility for Geometric thinking a bond that will take them all the way to Milan, Italy where they collaborate artistically for the first time.

With ASSIOMA Moneyless and Augustine Kofie meet at the Avantgarden Gallery to explore a new theory, finding together all the similarities and differences in their works, juxtaposing them. Moneyless takes care of building a solid foundation and Kofie begins a process of research combing Geometric and Hyperuranic Platonic perfection with the virus of reality. The work of Augustine Kofie therefore becomes one of the possible variables directly connected with Moneyless’ axiomatic purity.

The image of a circle shown over and over in its perfection in Moneyless’ new works is a mantra that doesn’t leave any space for questioning. Immediately one recognizes its beauty and lives its perfections. The effect is overwhelming, complete and totalizing. The thought process behind ASSIOMA is complemented by Kofie’s approach that starts from architecture, from everyday reality, and uses geometry to create futuristic scenarios that encompass serial tastes and important analog incursions. The result is a brilliant balance between abstract geometric shapes objects that belong to an organic, warm, human reality.

Thanks to both artists, Geometry, usually seen as an abstract model of reality and a dry set of rules, theorems and demonstrations, brings its soul back to life, a soul lost shortly after his origin when it was the source of inspiration and took on a role of its own changing History.

Through ASSIOMA, Moneyless and Kofie work on a joint experimental project. Avantagarden Gallery has in fact invited them for ten days of collaboration where they are expected to conduct a sort of “controlled improvisation”. Geometry defines lines and borders, deduction is the basis of reasoning and in this particular case, of artistic expression.

ASSIOMA is a challenge that turns the method into the primary source for creative inspiration. Art then relies on the typical creativity of theoretical science, which comes up with news ideas always starting from universal and fixed theories.

The axiom of transitivity is, on the other hand, inferred from the theory of a consumer’s preferences and it determines the logical coherence of the choices of a typical consumer.

Moneyless’ mission has always been linked to reestablish a certain kind of order in consuming materials and Kofie’s rationalistic approach is actually a simple proposal for an unpretentious architectonic world that shouldn’t lose its accessibility and its beauty in being relatable.

The expressive needs and the preferential choices of the two artists start from different backgrounds and independent paths but it becomes almost obvious, self-evident, natural the fact that they complement each other so well. ASSIOMA is the point of encounter of two very distinct paths that carry within them two very kindred spirits.

-Francesca Holsenn for AvantGarden Gallery, Spring 2014

BIO

MONEYLESS – Teo Pirisi

Born in 1980, known as Moneyless, he lives between Milan, where he was born, and Lucca. His mission is clearly suggested by his pseudonym: Moneyless, a name that underlines his goal of making art with simple material and without wasting resources, like it often happens in our omnivorous consumer-driven society in which we live in, utilizing this material at its best. Famous for his works in public spaces, the artist explores lines and volume, his creations find inspiration in nature: they are minimalistic geometric shapes, essential and at the same time majestic, mystical in way, that stand out in the space as if suspended and silence us, make us reflect and think about the relation between us and time passing.

AUGUSTINE KOFIE

Informal American Artist, born in 1973, well-known name among street artists in Los Angeles he is considered one of the most significant exponents of Graffuturism. 

His style has been defined Futuristic Vintage, and he finds inspiration in modern architecture, Jazz music and his passion for lettering. 

His art is characterized by an instinctual reasoning, when the artist works according to a fluid thought but with an order that revelers his search for balance, his focus on form and composition.

California Convergence 

24 x 24 x  1 5/8 inches, 2013

Found paper, acrylic, ball point pen, white-out , screenprint & spray paint on wood panel.

Coated in archival matte varnish. Finished in matte gel medium. 

Framed in mahogany lattice & found yardsticks. 

Will L.A. Reclaim Its Title as The Mural Capital of the World?

 An Exhibition by The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles (MCLA)

MCLA will be at Booth 152

Jan. 15th – 19th, 2014

Los Angeles Convention Center

South Hall J and K

1201 South Figueroa Street

Los Angeles, CA 90015

The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles (MCLA) presents Will L.A. Reclaim Its Title as The Mural Capital of the World?, an exhibition curated by Isabel Rojas-Williams, Executive Director of MCLA. Embracing LA’s visual art culture, this exhibit will include pioneer muralists Kent Twitchell, and John Valadez, together with emerging and mid-career artists such as Pablo Cristi, Augustine Kofie, RISK, MEAR ONE, and Sonia Romero, among others. The exhibition, inspired by LA’s mural culture, will connect the politics of the street to the politics of the canvas.

[ California Convergence will be on display at the MCLA Booth for this years LA Art Fair. I’m very proud to be sharing the walls with all of the curated artists. ] 

+

MCLA on fbook

Circulations of her search

19 x 19 x 1 1/4 inches, 2013

Found paper, chipboard, ball point pen, pencil, white out & acrylic on wood panel. 

Coated in archival matte varnish. Finished in satin gel medium.

Framed by artist in mahogany stained pine and found yardsticks. 

Hands on horizons

24 x 24 x 1 3/4 inches, 2013

Found paper, ball point pen, acrylic and spray paint on wood panel.

Coated in archival matte varnish. Finished in satin gel medium.

Framed by artist in mahogany stained pine and found yardsticks.

Portland’s own Breeze Block Gallery will have a booth in Littletopia at this years LA Art Show.

I will have 4 works on display from my recent Three The Hard Way exhibition with the gallery in November.

Breeze Block is also one of the top 4 galleries to see at this years Art Fair.

Jan. 15th – 19th, 2014

Los Angeles Convention Center

South Hall J and K

1201 South Figueroa Street

Los Angeles, CA 90015

Sales inquiries:

Paige@breezebllockgallery.com

Three The Hard Way:
Augustine Kofie / Jerry Joker Inscoe / Christopher Derek Bruno

Three-person exhibition curated by Sven Davis

Breeze Block Gallery Portland OR.

7 November – 30 November, 2013

For the month of November, Breeze Block Gallery is very proud to present Three The Hard Way; a three-person exhibition featuring Augustine Kofie, Jerry Joker Inscoe and Christopher Derek Bruno.

All three artists come from a graffiti background, and are firmly established members of the pioneering Transcend graffiti collective. These highly versatile artists are equally known for their large-scale mural projects, as well as their own very individual voices in a gallery setting. Traditional letterforms are abstracted into geometric configurations within their work; and dimension, form and space are considered and explored within their dynamic compositions.

Their collective approach to art-making is steeped in academic discourse, and whilst retaining the vibrancy of their graffiti backgrounds, traditional art movements such as Futurism, Abstract Expressionism and Precisionism are also embraced by the visual vocabulary imbued within their work. The exhibition title itself is a literal reference to the historical terminology Hard-Edge painting; which was first coined in the late fifties and used to describe intense and abrupt delineation of color within the burgeoning Geometric Abstraction and Op-art movements. Whilst these artists acknowledge and embrace movements of the past, they confidently stand outside of historical classification and have established themselves as a core group of protagonists defining a contemporary movement they have made their own.

Whilst the three artists have shown together previously in larger group exhibitions, Three The Hard Way is the first time that this trifecta has shown together in a collaborative environment. For the month of November the three artists will take over both of Breeze Block’s gallery spaces for an installation that incorporates the full range of multi-facetted oeuvres from each of these influential creators. Continue on..

+PDX Art review by Richard Schemmerer

+High Fructose Studio preview

+Arrested Motion coverage

+Graffuturism coverage

+Vandalog interview

+Brooklyn Street Art preview

+Slam X Hype

Circulation of the navy peak

36 x 36 x 1.5 inches [2013]

Acrylic and spray paint on primed duck canvas

Finished in satin gel medium

Where the action is 

24 x 24 x  1 5/8 inches [2013]

Found paper, acrylic, ball point pen, white-out , screenprint &  spray paint on wood panel.

Coated in archival matte varnish. Finished in matte gel medium. 

Framed in mahogany lattice & found yardsticks.

[I’m very pleased to participate in this well stocked group show in the heart of downtown Detroit, Michigan.  Thanks to a gracious invitation by Revok, this will mark my first time working with Library Street Collective. 4 recent works will be on display for the show including one canvas, one collage on wood and 2 found clipboard paintings.]

Library Street Collective Gallery:

OUT WITH THE OLD

AJ FOSIK - ALEX LUKAS - AUGUSTINE KOFIE - CLEON PETERSON 

DABS & MYLA - DANA OLDFATHER - DAVE KINSEY - HACER - JIM HOUSER 

KELSEY BROOKES - MR JAGO - NICK JASKEY - OMENS - POSE - PUSH - REVOK 

REYES - RICHARD COLMAN - RIME - SAM FRIEDMAN - TRISTAN EATON - VIZIE - ZES

Saturday August 3rd- October 1st, 2013

Public opening: August 3rd, 6PM - 9PM

Library Street Collective

1260 Library Street

Detroit, Michigan. USA 48226

info@lscgallery.com

FBook Invite

Greetings from LA [2013]

Screen print, acrylic and rub-on Letraset on 

reclaimed chipboard.

Finished in matte gel medium.

Greetings from SF [2013]

Screen print, acrylic and rub-on Letraset on 

reclaimed index card stock.

Finished in matte gel medium. 

[I will have 3 smaller posctcard size works on display at The Breeze Block Gallery for their next big group show on May 2nd, curated by the incomperable Sven Davis.  The lineup for the show is extensive and impressive to say the least, a much bigger and better line up of artists than last years Space//Form exhibition at the same gallery. ]

Wider than a postcard