VWXXK
IN NUCLEO SERIES
1996-2024
In Nucleo, the concept for this body of work, begs to be translated loosely as “in essence” or “in sum”. The phrase can also denote the energy within the core of an atom or nuclear generator. It can even connote “nuclear family”, although that would be a stretch. If the meaning is taken exactly from the Latin, it means the “inside of a nut”—perhaps alluding to the thoughts that roil inside the brain of a crazy artist. An intentional sardonic, self-deprecation like this would fit well with what I know about Bonifacho’s world view and his personality.
Messages can be discovered in the majority of the In Nucleo paintings. Some adages have been inscribed through layers of paint with the end of a brush; others are meticulously created letter by letter. Some can be read easily; others because of the low contrast between black and khaki or black and cobalt blue cannot. To paint the equivalent of a one-minute Rick Mercer diatribe takes many days of labour and solitary confinement - such an obsession is akin to madness.
Bonifacho’s attitude towards meaning is: What you see is what you get. It’s up to you to decide what it means. I’ll never tell you. - Ann Rosenberg 2010
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Bratsa Bonifacho (1937–2024) was a Vancouver-based contemporary artist internationally recognized for his complex, large-scale abstract paintings that explore themes of technology, communication, and cultural identity. His work is highly sought after by collectors of contemporary abstract art for its intellectual depth, distinctive visual language, and relevance in today’s digital age.
Bonifacho’s paintings are held in significant public, corporate, and private collections across five continents, including the Canadian Embassy in Argentina, the Museum of Modern Art in Serbia, the National Museum of Serbia, and the Department of External Affairs in Ottawa. His global presence underscores the lasting cultural and investment value of his work within the contemporary art market.
Central to Bonifacho’s practice is the acclaimed Habitat Pixel series, in which he investigates the intersection of digital systems and human experience. These large-scale oil paintings mimic the structure of computer code and virus programs, with fragmented text and layered compositions that evoke both order and disruption. By visually “scrambling” language, Bonifacho creates dynamic works that reflect the tension between technological control and chaos - resonating strongly with collectors interested in art that engages with modern digital culture.
Represented by Bau-Xi Gallery since 1998 and Foster/White Gallery in Seattle since 2004, Bonifacho built a decades-long career marked by innovation and critical recognition. Today, Bratsa Bonifacho paintings continue to attract collectors seeking museum-quality contemporary abstract art with strong conceptual foundations and long-term significance.
Bonifacho's canvases have finished, painted sides and are on stretched canvas.
