expatartist – fortunatopaul31

CIRCULAR TIME: CHAPTER 2

Here are the highlights of my recent solo exhibition in Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

Mommy? Daddy? Will painting ever dAI? 2025, acrylic on linen, 47 X 80 in., 117.5 X 199 cm.

An abstract painting featuring two toy race cars on a swirling, textured surface, with vibrant colors and an inscription reading 'We have a game to catch!'

ANOTHER DAY AT THE RACES, 2025, acrylic and toys on linen, 85.5 in., 250 X 221 cm.

A makeshift structure with a round, painted surface, supported by two bicycle wheels, featuring small toy cars on top, surrounded by overgrown vegetation and discarded items.

The apparatus I set up outside to create ANOTHER DAY AT THE RACES.

Close-up of an abstract artwork featuring a red toy car seemingly embedded in textured paint swirls on a wall.

Detail

A view from above showing a painting surface with swirling blue paint, featuring a black toy car and a red object, positioned on a wooden floor and a blue painter's scaffold.

Detail

MAKING LOVE TO THE SPIDER WOMAN, 2025, acrylic on linen, 88X65.25 in., 223X165 cm.

Close-up of a decorated surface featuring abstract black and white patterns with a prominent circular element made of shiny beads and colored accents.

ANT, 2025, acrylic and plastic elements on linen with wooden frame, 63X42X6 in.,159X106X15 cm.

A colorful abstract painting featuring a figure with a bare torso, holding a sun symbol with the text 'Go ahead. Block me. See if I care.' and a label reading 'SPF 50' at the bottom.

BLOCK ME, 2025, acrylic on linen, 65X67 in., 166X170 cm.

A mobile medical apparatus depicted in red and white outline on a black background, highlighting its intricate design and components.

BLOOD, 2025, acrylic on linen and plywood, 70.5X39 in., 179X100 cm.

An abstract artwork featuring a structured white frame with a cut-out section revealing a textured, rust-colored form positioned at an angle.

CALIGULA, 2025, found metal flattened by car traffic, mounted in a foam core window, Frame size is 33.5X23.75 in., 85X61 cm.

A textured artwork featuring a hand reaching towards a dried fish, set against a black background with abstract blue lines.

CAT AND FISH, 2025, acrylic on linen with dried fish, 29.5X29.75, 75X55 cm.

Abstract artwork featuring a central black circular form with textured swirls, accented by white and blue streaks against a dark background.

CAT EYE, 2025, acrylic and toy on linen, 65X117in., 164X297 cm.

A large abstract painting featuring predominantly black and white textures, with a three-dimensional element resembling a construction vehicle mounted on it.

A colorful artwork featuring a coelacanth fish with bold text and abstract background elements.

COELACANTH, 2025, acrylic and fabric on cotton canvas, 28X72 in., 72X183 cm. This piece was made from the recycled banner that hung outside the gallery for my solo show last year, Chapter 1.

Exterior view of a red brick gallery building with large windows, featuring banners for an exhibition titled 'CIRCULAR TIME: Chapter 1' by Paul Fortunato, along with a cobblestone path and a parked car.

Banner displaying the title 'CIRCULAR TIME: Chapter 1' by Paul Fortunato, promoting a solo exhibition of drawings, paintings, and 3D works.

A large abstract painting of a bee with bright orange and gray backgrounds. The bee features exaggerated colors and forms.

DOUBLE-HEADED FLY, 2025, acrylic on linen, 66X90 in., 166X227 cm. This painting was started in 2022.

C2: Retribution, 2025, an abstract artwork featuring bold colors and patterns, predominantly red and orange, on a dark background.

C2: RETRIBUTION, 2025, acrylic on plywood mounted on sheet metal, 53X19.5 in., 135X50 cm. These days my vomit is bright orange, with disgust and outrage.

A provocative mixed-media painting featuring abstract figures and text elements, with a strong focus on expressive color and composition.

DYING GAUL, 2025, acrylic on linen, 65X91 in., 166X211 cm. This piece was started in 2022 and was revised for the show, almost completely obliterating the ‘bad’ painting underneath.

Abstract painting featuring bold colors and intricate patterns, depicting a circular form with vibrant lines and textures.

EYE, 2025, acrylic on table top section, 35.25X37.5 in., 89X95 cm. I cut a circle in the panel, then rotated it 180 degrees, as per the arrow markings, to create the pupil pocket on the right side.

A vibrant and abstract artwork titled 'Family Crest,' featuring a mixture of colors and textures, accompanied by the quote 'Remember Paul, familiarity breeds CONTEMPT.'

FAMILY CREST, 2025, acrylic on linen, 55X78.5 in., 140X90 cm. This was originally a completed vertical painting from 2018 that I felt was dumb but served as the perfect back drop to the new one. My childhood memories, good and bad, have always been fertile ground for subject matter.

A painting featuring a peace symbol shaped like a pizza, with the text 'Give Pizza A Chance' above it. The artwork uses vibrant colors and textures, depicting swirling patterns within the circular design.

PIZZA ON EARTH, 2025, acrylic on linen collaged onto cotton canvas, 56X29.5 in., 179X100 cm.

GOOD TIMES, 2025, acrylic and fabric on linen, 59.5X36 in., 150X91 cm.

Abstract painting featuring a textured brown background with green and white markings, framed with pieces of wood.

HAIRY BACK, 2025, acrylic and cedar chips on found bulletin board from which I ripped off the felt lining, 43.5X31.5 in., 110X80 cm.

A close-up view of a green snake's head surrounded by a chain-link fence, featuring vibrant colors and abstract patterns in the background.

HEAD OF A SNAKE, 2025, acrylic and chain link fence on plywood, 42.5X83.25 in., 108X211 cm.

Mixed media artwork titled 'EIGHTEEN' featuring layered colors, an abstract depiction of a green vehicle, and an American flag, reflecting themes of identity and adolescence.

I’M EIGHTEEN, 2025, a diptych, acrylic on velvet and linen with car radiator and wood element. 50X113 in., 130X288 in. This piece is about me losing my virginity at eighteen, and the title of Alice Cooper’s song. I met a girl on the subway on my way to school as an undergrad, started dating her, and fell in love. Such is the magic of New York and the game of love as a youngster. The left panel is my dismal life on the moon, alone, and on the right, the first flourishes of green exuberance after having sex with a girl for the first time. I am fucking alive after all.

An artist's worktable featuring a printed American flag, a radiator, tools including a screwdriver and a bottle, and a calculator, with the artist's hand working on the radiator.

EIGHTEEN in progress in October 2024.

A detailed illustration of a record player with a focus on the turntable, featuring a Van Halen record titled 'Jump', alongside labeled components like a replacement needle and a disc washer.

JUMP, 2025, acrylic, with plywood and metal elements, on panel. 55X48X6 in., 139X127X13cm.

Artwork titled 'HUNTSMAN SPIDER', 2025, featuring mixed media elements including a dragonfly, snail, and other objects arranged on a dark background.

JUNK DRAWER, 2025, acrylic, guitar neck (for the dragonfly abdomen), sunglasses, baseball sections, shoe sections (for the fly head) and office detritus on plywood. 37X72.75X3.5 in., 93.5X188X9 cm.

A mixed media artwork depicting a chaotic scene with figures, vivid colors, and abstract elements, capturing an intense emotional moment.

KKKUNT SSTATE(Returning The Page), 2025, acrylic on linen and panel cutout, 72.5X77 in., 184X197 cm. Based on the photograph by John Filo of the Kent State shooting. Elon Musk is seen upside down sprouting orange hair. The student is also a symbol of our institutions being bled if they don’t comply with the self interests of this corrupt administration.

KNOWLEGS, 2025, acrylic on linen, 64X85.5 in., 165X217 cm. A reflection on my time recovering from double knee replacement and how it felt, over 3 years ago.

Artwork featuring the title 'The Cardigans' with stylized lettering above an abstract fiery orange background, conveying a dramatic and intense atmosphere.

THE GODZILLA, 2025, acrylic on linen, 76.5X82.5 in., 190X210 cm.

A mixed media artwork featuring a dark background with a textured, abstract landscape in gold and beige tones, and outlined figures at the bottom engaging in various activities.

LANDSCAPE WITH SPATIAL DEPTH REVERSAL, 2025, acrylic marker on panel with plywood and relief element, 28X20 in., 71X51 cm.

A colorful painting titled 'MANTIS OF THE YEAR' featuring a stylized green mantis with prominent eyes and vibrant elements in orange and red.

MANTIS OF THE YEAR, 2025, acrylic on linen, 59X72 in., 150X183 cm.

A colorful painting titled 'Mickey Mantis' features a green mantis character, depicted in an expressive pose with white gloves, in front of a bright yellow background. The top includes the text 'Mickey' and 'Mantis,' with 'GREATEST HITS' written prominently.

MICKEY MANTIS, 2025, acrylic on linen with collaged canvas. 65.5X100.5 in., 166X255 cm.

A colorful illustration showing a person in a green outfit walking in a rainy environment with a guitar, alongside a text that says 'FIND ME AN APARTMENT NOW!' and other background details like trees and signs.

MY MOTHER, THE BAGLADY IN 1984. 2025, acrylic on linen, 27.5X78.75 in., 70X199.5 cm. This was originally a vertical painting from around 2020 that I used as a backdrop to the new one. It refers to a dark chapter in my life when my mother was abandoned by my dad and left on the street like a bag of potatoes. The fallout from my father’s mistake impacted my life for the next 30 years. Here I am in Bayside, NY, going to realtors, desperately trying to get her a place, while she trails behind, psychotic, and filled with rage.

A top-down view of a circular, textured, brown surface with a small toy car positioned in the center, creating intricate spirals in the paint.

MUD, 2025, acrylic and toy on linen, 88.5X72 in., 227X182 cm.

A black cat lying on a spiraled surface made of reddish material, with a toy car nearby, and greenery visible in the background.

Artwork titled 'The Mummy's Return', featuring hands holding paperwork and an eye symbol, with painted lines in the background.

THE MUMMY’S RETURN, 2025, acrylic, fabric and paper on linen with wooden frame, 40.5X33 in., 103X84 cm.

A bold and expressive painting titled 'Painting with Bob Ross,' featuring vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes, depicting a figure holding a paintbrush against a vivid background.

PAINTING WITH BOB ROSS, 2025, acrylic on linen, 78.5X55 in., 199X140 cm.

A colorful acrylic artwork depicting hands with exaggerated features, holding a pen and a piece of paper. The phrase 'Thank you' is written prominently on the surface, with stacks of cash visible below. The background consists of wooden paneling.

THE PINK PAINTER, 2025, acrylic on linen over wood panel. 59X83 in., 150X210 cm.

A colorful illustration featuring a jellyfish under water, with bands labeled 'PHISH' and 'With Special Guests: MAN'O'WAR.' Silhouettes of an audience are visible at the bottom.

POSTER FOR A FICTITIOUS CONCERT, 2025, acrylic and string on linen and plywood, 71X39.25 in., 179X100 cm.

A painting depicting four stylized fish resembling sturgeons, with textured scales and colorful details over a dark green and brown background.

REMORAS, 2025, acrylic and HEPA filters on linen, 82.5X59 in., 210X151 cm.

A mixed media painting featuring a human figure partially obscured, surrounded by a series of radiating lines and swirling patterns in dark and green tones.

IS ZACH FEUER LOOKING AT SLIDES? 2025, acrylic and 35mm slides on linen, 47X46.5 in.,119X117 cm.

Self-portrait with headphones, featuring a line drawing style and a blurred background.

SELF PORTRAIT, 2025, acrylic and black mold on foam core panel. The black mold is sealed into the surface with acrylic medium. 52.5X48 in., 134X121 cm.

A mixed media self-portrait featuring a face split between a wooden texture and painted details, with headphones, on a textured black background.

SELF PORTRAIT, 2025, acrylic on plywood, 28X20 in., 71X51 cm.

A dark abstract painting featuring a skull-like face with red eyes, set against a black background.

SELF PORTRAIT (DAWN OF THE DEAD), 2025, acrylic on linen, 47X45 in., 121X115 cm.

Abstract artwork featuring a face design, predominantly in black paint with a textured, white background and a three-dimensional black leather element.

SEND IN THE CLOWNS, 2025, acrylic and pediatric walker cushion on panel, 35.5X35.5 in., 90X90 cm.

Artwork titled 'Masoasaur Sternside' featuring a kayak and figures illustrated on a textured background. The piece includes handwritten text questioning directional choices.

SHIP OF A STATE OF FOOLS, 2025, acrylic on floor mat section, 23X29.5 in., 57X75 cm.

Abstract painting featuring a swirling spiral design in shades of white and gray, with textured detailing in the center.

VORTEX (CLIMATE CHANGE), 2025, acrylic on linen, 64X73 in., 163X189 cm.

Mixed media artwork featuring an abstract arrangement of colorful materials, including threads and plastic components, with the text 'How was your summer Paul?' integrated into the design.

MY SUMMER BREAK, 2025, acrylic and electronic components on plywood. 35.75X23.75, 90X60.5 cm.

An abstract painting featuring concentric circular patterns in shades of blue and purple, with a vibrant yellow background. A small red toy car is positioned towards the upper left of the image.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS, 2025, acrylic and toy on linen, 89.5X72 in., 228X182 cm.

An abstract art installation featuring a red toy car mounted on a textured wall with various shades of green and blue currugated patterns.

Detail

A stylized drawing of two feet in shoes resembling musical instruments, titled 'Elton John Tiny Dancer.' The artwork features a black background with white outlines and colorful details.

DANCER, 2025, acrylic on framed plywood, 33.5X23.75 in., 85X60 cm.

Artwork depicting a figure resembling a turtle with an abstract human figure, embellished with orange plastic balls, on a wood panel.

TURTLE WOMAN LAYING EGGS, 2025, acrylic, black mold and ping pong balls on framed plywood, 23.75X33.5 in., 61X85 cm.

An abstract painting featuring two toy trucks surrounded by swirling blue and white paint, creating a vortex effect.

VORTEX 2, 2025, acrylic and toys on cotton canvas, 78X96 in., 195X243 cm.

A close-up of a green toy cement mixer truck and a yellow toy truck positioned on a textured, blue, swirling painting that depicts a dynamic scene.

A close-up view of an art installation featuring toy trucks on a textured, swirling blue and colorful paint surface, with a high ceiling and soft lighting in the background.

A line drawing of a muscular figure holding dumbbells, set against a weathered white background.

MOLDY GIRL, 2025, marker and black mold on foam core panel, 81X48 in., 206X121 cm. This large drawing was improvised from the random pattern of black mold that had accrued on a panel left outside for a whole summer. The whole surface was sealed with acrylic medium.

A physical world map showcasing continents and oceans, with labeled geographic locations and a faded textured background.

WORLD MAP, 2025, acrylic and black mold on foam core panel. 48X96 in., 121X244 cm. The ‘map’ was improvised from the random growth of black mold on a panel left outside for a whole summer. To what appeared to me a physical map of the Earth, I added latitude and longitude coordinates and basic labels.

Artwork featuring a whimsical scene with a crab and various characters on a wooden panel, incorporating text elements like 'W.T.F.' and 'HELP!' amidst a beach background.

WTF? 2025, acrylic, cat hair and Scrabble word on floor mat section, 29.5X40 in., 74X100 cm.

WHERE AM I? 2025, acrylic and toy on linen, 76X83 in., 194X212 cm.

An abstract painting featuring two figures in front of swirling shapes and text that reads 'YOU'RE work is OK, the problem is YOU'RE still ALIVE.' The background is a mix of blue and vibrant colors.

YES, 2025, acrylic on linen, 45.75X42.5 in., 166X171 cm.

Artwork titled 'YO', 2025, featuring abstract elements with a blue and green background and text reading 'You don't know shit about Dick' in a white and green circular design.

YO, 2025, acrylic and relief elements on linen with wooden frame, 41X30 in., 105X76 cm.

Artwork titled 'Needs Deal Sweetener' depicting colorful abstract forms with text elements, featuring green and yellow imagery and ice cube motifs.

UNTITLED (TOO MANY DIRECTORS), 2025, acrylic on linen with plastic elements, 52.5X78 in., 130X200 cm.

EPILOGUE: THE NOT SO FUNNIES

An expressive illustration of a person standing at a kitchen sink, depicted with exaggerated features. Background elements include a window and kitchen utensils. Handwritten text above the figure reads, 'He seemed pretty chipper after the election. Is he a republican?' with additional words made from Scrabble tiles stating, 'NOT SURE, NOT SURE OF ANYTHING NOW.'

A chaotic illustration depicting a crowded scene with various characters holding signs, featuring two green figures in conversation, one expressing frustration and the other suggesting to leave.

A humorous illustration featuring animals at a table, with a pig, a bear, and a man making food orders. The bear is reading a menu, while the pig requests 'Oligarlic Sausage and another pint.'

'Aunt' Margaret, are there termites that can eat steel? Illustration of a child with a questioning expression, looking towards a steel beam.

A mixed media artwork featuring abstract figures with bold colors, expressive brushstrokes, and text reading 'My meeting with the scum bag went super well.' The background is a mix of yellows and reds with layered textures.

THE BEST 3D WORKS OF THE SHOW

Side view of an orange and black artwork placed on an easel, against a wooden floor.

THE SHADOW, 2025, acrylic on cotton with stretchers.

A close-up view of a three-dimensional sculpture resembling a spider made of wooden parts and clothespins, displayed in an art gallery with colorful paintings in the background.

An abstract sculpture suspended in an art gallery, featuring wooden elements and a dark circular form, with colorful paintings visible in the background.

A large spider sculpture made from wood and other materials, positioned against a wall with an abstract background painting in a gallery setting.

Three views of HUNTSMAN SPIDER, 2025.

ALL IMAGES © COPYRIGHT PAUL FORTUNATO 2025

https://www.instagram.com/fortunatopaul31/?hl=en

Paul Fortunato’s Circular Time: Chapter 2 Exhibition

CIRCULAR TIME: CHAPTER 2

Artist Paul Fortunato revisits the concept of time and memory through painting and sculpture.

Opening August 26 at Daejeon Gallery, the show focuses on identity, nature and mortality, with over 100 works.

Daejeon, Republic of Korea- August 4, 2025

Contemporary artist Paul Fortunato will debut his newest solo exhibition, “Circular Time: Chapter 2” at Daejeon Gallery in Daejeon on August 26, 2025. The show explores the overlapping themes of childhood memory, loss, nature and time through drawings, paintings, sculpture and wall reliefs. The exhibition runs through September 2.

This show marks Paul Fortunato’s fifth solo show in Korea, and is a follow up to “Circular Time: Chapter 1”, last year. Nearly 3 years ago the artist underwent double knee replacement. With “Chapter 1” he was only partially recovered. “Chapter 2” is both a celebration of the full return of his personal and physical strength and a reflection on the fragility of life. The sprawling show is inspired by the interwoven themes of childhood memory, a life engaged in making art, and a deep reverence for nature. Many of the works are based on direct observation of the plants and animals living wild in and around his house/studio. The work also engages the fraught relationship between our planet and the forces of it’s exploitation.

“In this age of AI fixation, I am more of an anachronism than ever. The show is my stubborn affirmation of the immortality of something hand crafted with intelligence, that is unforgettable to the viewer, and makes one think. Bring aspirin to the show. You will need it.”

Mediums: acrylic on linen, acrylic on panel, assemblage, drawing on panel, relief paintings with acrylic and attached objects.

Exhibition details: CIRCULAR TIME: CHAPTER 2

Dates: August 26, 2025 through September 2, 2025

Opening reception: August 30, Saturday, 1-6pm.

Venue: Daejeon Gallery, Jungyoro 56, Jung-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

Hours: Tuesday – Monday, 10 AM- 6PM.

Admission: Free

About the Artist:

Paul Fortunato is a contemporary fine artist whose work explores the interwoven themes of childhood memory, nature, anthropology, paleontology and psychology. His work has been exhibited in New York, Italy and South Korea, and is part of several private collections.

Press contact:

Paul Fortunato

US: +1(680) 256-0099 Korea: +82(010)5061-2276

http://www.fortunatopaul31.com

My retrospective in Busan, Korea: The whole show, from start to finish.

Here is the complete documentation of my solo exhibition installation at Miboo Art Center, Busan. The show occupies two floors. Photography and editing by master photographer and digital wizard Brian Sunghun Park.

Show ends August 30, 2019.

To enlarge right click on image and open in a new tab.

THIRD FLOOR GALLERY

SECOND FLOOR GALLERY

This and next two images:

DRAW, YOU FUCKER! 2019 Acrylic and marker on found, partially melted, plastic file cabinet, 33 X 30 X 35 cm

PARACHUTE BRICK-DROP 2019 Brick, bicycle hub and spokes, steel can, 86 X 23 X 23 cm

HELICOPTER (loosely based on Boeing Apache) 2019, vacuum cleaner, wooden window blind blades, metal 41 X 113 X 77 cm

TWO SQUID 2018 Acrylic on drawing paper pad spines and paper Each squid approximately 153 cm long

THREE HONEYBEE HEADS 2015 Office chair parts. Each head 41 X 49 X 54 cm.

SINKING LIFE BOAT 2019 Acrylic and marker on rubberized floor tile section. The ‘water’ pattern preexisting in the material. 45 x 70 cm.

WALKING MAN 2019 Acrylic and marker on rubberized floor tile section. The ‘sky’ and ‘reflective water surface’ preexisting in the material. 74 X 116 cm.

HEAD WITH HAT 2018 Acrylic on wood, with chair sections, PVC, metal, electrical chord. 42 x 58 X 122 cm.

EL GORDO DUCHAMPO (title by Brian Sullivan) 2019 Wood, children’s bicycle wheel, children’s stool. 69 x 31 X 31 cm.

DAMSELFLY HEAD 2019 Honeybee hive panels, car lamps, car logo, car grills, fallen cat whiskers, mannequin scalp, acrylic. 50 x 150 X 97 cm.

SIMPLEXITY

SAVING THE EARTH, ONE PAINTING AT A TIME

This new 2019 set of paintings, collectively titled SIMPLEXITY, was created over the last 6 months here in South Korea, where I relocated from New York City almost five years ago. I did not invent the word ‘Simplexity’, as it can be found in abundance on the internet. But I felt the word fit with what I am doing now, which can be open to many interpretations, just like the word itself.

Nature is and always has been my inspiration, and many of the new works are an expression of rage and sorrow at what we are doing to our Earth. But rather than just add more heat to to the cauldron of rage to be found everywhere, I approached it in my usual dark, creative humor, seeing it all as fundamental shapes to be played with, and finding clarity in the process. This is the only way I know how to deal with the the barrage of bad news I try not to read. Without the ability to paint it away, I myself would just slip away.

All the new paintings, in addition to the best that I have created over the last years in Korea, including 3D works, is now on display in a sprawling two-floor retrospective at Miboo Art Center in Busan. The exhibition runs until August 30.

To see the horizontal images at correct scale please open them in a new tab.