Biography

James Bohary, born in 1940 in Brooklyn, New York, is an American abstract expressionist painter known for his dynamic and heavily textured works. Bohary's artistic journey began with studies in graphic design, illustration, and art education at New York University, culminating in his emergence from the New York Studio School in 1969. There, he was influenced by notable figures such as Philip Guston, and his style was shaped by a diverse range of inspirations, including prehistoric art and artists like Rembrandt and Willem de Kooning. Bohary's paintings are characterized by thick, multilayered impastos and a gestural approach that often results in a sense of horror vacui, where every inch of the canvas is filled with expressive detail. His meticulous process involves building dense layers of oil paint over extended periods, creating a rich visual texture. His works are held in prestigious collections, including the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the National Academy of Design. In addition to his painting, Bohary has made significant contributions to art education, teaching at institutions such as Queens College and Binghamton University. His achievements have been recognized with awards from the American Academy & Institute of Arts and Letters and the National Academy of Design.