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<\/p>\nArtist Abraham Onkst, a Hollidaysburg native, stands with one of his works at his studio.
\nCourtesy photo<\/p>\n
Using a template of the American flag, Hollidaysburg native Abraham Onkst created a layered language in his work, \u201cUnited We Stand,\u201d to represent the many experiences, beliefs, and perspectives that overlap across the nation, developing a visual rhythm. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, this represents the possibility of unity even within difference,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
After many sessions of creating the piece, Onkst\u2019s 48 x 36 acrylic work was recently chosen by the Museum of Art DeLand in Florida for their upcoming gallery, \u201cOur Flag in American Art (1935-2026)\u201d from June 19 to Aug. 16. <\/p>\n
Onkst, 25, is honored that his work is included in the exhibit, especially as an Altoona-based artist.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve worked at this since I was young, so to see my work enter a larger national conversation around American art, (it\u2019s really great),\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Hollidaysburg artist Abraham Onkst\u2019s painting, \u201cUnited We Stand,\u201d is set to be on display from June 19 to Aug. 16 in the group exhibit \u201cOur Flag in American Art (1935-2026)\u201d at the Museum of Art DeLand in Florida.
\nCourtesy photo<\/p>\n
At 12 years old, Onkst became obsessed with videos of graffiti artists tagging their names, which he attributes to his first artistic inspiration. Soon enough, he started to draw his classmates\u2019 names in a graffiti-esque style and sold them for $10 a piece when attending the Hollidaysburg Area School District. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have always had that dual-sided brain shared between artist and entrepreneur,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
He continued to pursue art throughout his post-secondary education from 2020-23 at Penn State Altoona\u2019s Visual Arts Studies Program (VAST), where he was no stranger to university exhibits and other group exhibits, such as \u201cDay One\u2019s\u201d in 2022 at 1Culture Gallery in San Jose, California, and \u201cGroup Exhibition\u201d in 2021 at Contemporary Corridor in Philadelphia. <\/p>\n
After graduation, he continued to show his work across the country, including \u201cAnything Goes\u201d in 2023 at the California Heritage Museum in Santa Monica, California, and \u201cFeatured Works\u201d at Trimper Gallery in White Plains, New York. <\/p>\n
As a result, his work has resonated with individuals across the country, including Houston resident Matt Tafoya, who found him on Instagram. <\/p>\n
Tafoya said Onkst\u2019s work is comparable to renowned street artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, while being something he\u2019s never seen before.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has his own flavor I think makes him distinct,\u201d Tafoya said. <\/p>\n
Onkst was inspired by America\u2019s culture and symbolism to create one of his more recent works, \u201cUnited We Stand,\u201d as those factors define his identity as an American citizen. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis work began from a place of curiosity: a desire to explore what it means to make my own mark on the nation and culture that shaped me,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Onkst typically woke up about 4:30 a.m. daily to create his latest piece. He said creating this work required much preparation to visualize how he wanted his piece to be perceived.<\/p>\n
While his piece symbolizes the overlapping nature of life itself, he said his mark-making was also influenced by modern media that is constantly flooded with voices and information. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe painting acknowledges that confusion while ultimately pointing toward something hopeful \u2014 the enduring human spirit and our collective drive to keep striving for something better,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Harmon-Meek Gallery Director Juliana Meek gravitated toward Onkst\u2019s piece at the beginning of the year, leading her to ask about including his work in their gallery exhibit from May 4 to 29. <\/p>\n
She said his marks look very different up close, but blend when standing from far away. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t seem like they go together, but they come as one composition,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
When the piece is displayed on June 19 in DeLand, he hopes the colors, movement and energy first catch the attention of viewers. They can then reflect on what his piece says to them. <\/p>\n
In the future, Onkst plans to grow his skills, expand his career and build opportunities. He wants his works to reach new audiences on a local and global scale. <\/p>\n
Meek is inviting Onkst next season for a solo show, as she\u2019s excited about his artistic talents. He is currently the gallery\u2019s youngest artist. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he has a lot of promise, and I\u2019m looking forward to knowing him better,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414. <\/p>\n
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