Francis Bott and the Bottego Style

 

Starting in 1948, German artist Francis Bott pursued works that were representational of the geometric abstract which enabled him to render his absolute urge for freedom and independence in visual terms. This new style allowed him to explore the possibilities of form and colour in experimental serial form. 

 

After several years of pursuing an interpretation of the Pollock's style, Salto discovers Bott's recent works for the first time at a New York gallery. One day in 1953 returning to his studio in the Village, Salto finds two vehicle license plates near his doorstep and uses them to apply house paint to the canvas. Later using putty knives, blades, and other metal and wood objects, he presses and drags paint in a random "Pollock" style across the canvas.

 

In honor of Bott and his favorite nightclub on 9th Avenue, Salto calls his new style "Bottego".