Xavier Bellante is a contemporary artist in Southern California who works in a variety of styles. Combining distorted imagery with bright colors and bold lines, his artwork is driven by his emotional state. He uses no reference material, instead choosing to let imagination and energy flow guide the composition. Sometimes using a brush, other times using something as small as an eyedropper, he manipulates every inch of the canvas to achieve unique effects. Working outside of the mainstream art world, Xavier’s art has rarely been shown outside of college galleries or mental health related events, and thus remains largely unknown. Painting and drawing for over 20 years, his work is quite diverse and mirrors the up and down rollercoaster his life has been.

 

Overcoming a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and post traumatic stress disorder, Xavier spent many years living in distress bouncing back and forth between jobs, living situations, and time spent in hospitals and recovery programs, before finally getting his life back together and recovering his sanity in 2009. He studied art at San Diego State University and Mount San Jacinto College before he graduated with his BA in Visual and Public Art at California State University Monterey Bay in 2013, studying under Johanna Poethig and Lila Staples. 

 

The chaotic nature of his life is reflected in his artistic expression. Sometimes using tape to break up his compositions and scraping off paint, Xavier creates layered work that demands close inspection. Much of what you see on the surface is hiding a multitude of colors and images that can only be discovered with a blacklight or magnifying glass. Often, text is incorporated to express Xavier’s inner monologue as he sifts through his emotions and regurgitates them onto the canvas. Texture, both visual and physical plays an important role in connecting the elements of each piece together. Filtered through a fascination of fluid dynamics and particle physics, guided by an often unstable hand, the work becomes more complex as you study more intently.

 

Currently, Xavier is experimenting with new pigments and paints to create art that looks different depending upon the light it is viewed in. Mixing techniques, he uses UV reactivity and phosphoresce to create work that demands attention in normal light, ultraviolet light, and again in full darkness. He calls it 3 lights style artwork and it is an entirely new experience. 

 

Xavier firmly believes that reality is entirely subjective and so each viewer will experience art in a unique way and see the images through an individual lens. With this in mind, the artist invites you to journey into a world of cognitive dissonance and emotional peaks and valleys, to find the resonance within.