Bernard Aptekar
American, 1936
Bernard Aptekar (b. 1936, Brooklyn, New York) is a celebrated American artist whose work spans painting, printmaking, and mixed media, often exploring themes of politics, history, technology, and identity. His early recognition came in the vibrant SoHo art scene, and he later pursued formal training at Pratt Institute and Indiana University, earning both BFA and MFA degrees.
Over a career that has traversed several decades, Aptekar has become known for a powerful, expressionist style that juxtaposes recognizable figures—politicians, intellectuals, cultural icons—with surreal, symbolic environments. His pieces often comment on the interplay between humanity, power, and technological progress, blending humor and critique in equal measure.
Aptekar’s work has been showcased widely, including exhibitions at MoMA PS1, the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York, and the Galicia Jewish Museum in Poland. His art is represented in major collections such as the Smithsonian and the Jewish Museum in New York, as well as institutions across Europe.
A pioneer of the "10 Downtown Group" in the 1960s and a longtime art educator, he has also received fellowships like Fulbright and NYFA grants. Dividing his time between New York and Paris, Aptekar continues to create thought-provoking works that challenge viewers to reflect on cultural narratives and contemporary society.
Over a career that has traversed several decades, Aptekar has become known for a powerful, expressionist style that juxtaposes recognizable figures—politicians, intellectuals, cultural icons—with surreal, symbolic environments. His pieces often comment on the interplay between humanity, power, and technological progress, blending humor and critique in equal measure.
Aptekar’s work has been showcased widely, including exhibitions at MoMA PS1, the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York, and the Galicia Jewish Museum in Poland. His art is represented in major collections such as the Smithsonian and the Jewish Museum in New York, as well as institutions across Europe.
A pioneer of the "10 Downtown Group" in the 1960s and a longtime art educator, he has also received fellowships like Fulbright and NYFA grants. Dividing his time between New York and Paris, Aptekar continues to create thought-provoking works that challenge viewers to reflect on cultural narratives and contemporary society.
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