The Man with A Million Names

 

 

Kenneth James Gratto Jr. AKA Jean Claude Gosh Darn AKA Josh Kosh B'Gosh AKA S.O.M.S. AKA so forth and so on, is a Chicago based Neo-Expressionist/Abstract painter and Illustrator. His art explores the human condition within a technologically driven capitalist society, expressing themes of sadness and hope. Working in mixed media—spray paint, acrylics, markers, and India ink on canvas, paper, and wood—he embraces a raw, abstract style that reflects life’s inherent messiness. His process is intuitive and layered, often reworking or covering up elements to echo the evolving story of a person’s life.

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A native Rhode Islander many years were spent in the music and skateboarding scene between Boston and NYC. Inspired by the energy of street art, graffiti, and the urgency of propaganda posters; a style tightly woven with in that community, his work bridges bold imagery with introspective reflection. It is both deeply personal and a mirror for the viewer to find their own meaning amid the chaos.

 

Through these creations, he aims to capture the resilience, struggle, and fleeting beauty of navigating our complex world.

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