Agni Zotis is a multi-media artist, with a life-long focus on painting, and includes light installation, video, sound, performance, and new media.

zotis is known for her light sensitive paintings as they transform under varied light. She uses light as knowledge and the way it is used transforms what we perceive to be. Her work explores individuality within universal consciousness, as everything in existence is energy in potentiality. She makes her own paints with pigments, semi-precious stones, gold, silver, pearls, phosphorescent, bioluminescence and various materials to control density, translucency, opacity . 

There are similar patterns that occur in molecular structure, in nature and in the universe, reflecting the relationship of the microcosm to the macrocosm.  Her abstraction is organized chaos, color and form capture time and space through movement of energy.

Her passion lives in the process of Know Thyself, the odyssey of being in reflection to the whole, philosophy, science, human nature.

As a young adult she immersed herself in art, theology, philosophy and cultures though global travels where she learned movements of ancient knowledge including the practice of Yoga and meditation.

The ancient world and techniques of mastery are inspirations for her modern city world art work.  

She studied Fine Arts at Hunter College. She apprenticed with a Byzantine Monk iconographer learning ancient techniques of Byzantine Iconography, and a Buddhist Monk learning Thanka painting. 

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As the director of AGNI GALLERY in the East Village, she hosted the avant-garde of New York City with international artists and collaborations including bassist Christian McBride. AGNOSIAN in Chelsea,  served as an artist spaces for her work and other creatives.  Zotis lives and works in Chelsea.

She is the founder and director of MAY Kids Transform a 501c3 foundation empowering youth and educators through Mindfulness, Arts, Yoga cultivating emotional intelligence and self awareness. of the New York art scene.




 

Agni Zotis, a multi-media artist, has dedicated her life to the exploration of various artistic forms, with a particular focus on painting. Her work includes light installation, video, sound, performance, and new media. One of her distinctive contributions to the art world lies in her light-sensitive paintings, which undergo mesmerizing transformations under different lighting conditions. By harnessing the power of light, Zotis challenges conventional perceptions and delves into the realm of knowledge shaped by illumination.

Central to Zotis's artistic vision is the exploration of individuality within universal consciousness, where everything exists as energy in potentiality. Her work delves into the interconnectedness of all things, drawing parallels between molecular structures, natural patterns, and cosmic phenomena. Through her abstract compositions, characterized by organized chaos, color, and form, Zotis captures the essence of time and space as manifestations of energetic movement.

Zotis's lifelong pursuit of self-discovery and understanding finds roots in her early childhood spent across Australia, New York, and Greece. Immersed in art, theology, philosophy, and diverse cultures during her youth, she embarked on a journey of global exploration, delving into ancient wisdom traditions, and learning the practices of Yoga and meditation.

Formally trained in Fine Arts at Hunter College, Zotis further honed her skills through apprenticeships with Greek Orthodox and Buddhist monks, mastering ancient techniques of Byzantine iconography and Thanka painting. As the former director of AGNI GALLERY in the East Village and later AGNOSIAN in Chelsea, she curated avant-garde exhibitions, fostering international collaborations and showcasing the cutting-edge of the New York art scene.

Beyond her artistic endeavors, Zotis is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of thinkers. As the founder and director of MAY Kids Transform, a non-profit foundation, she empowers youth and educators through mindfulness, arts, and yoga, fostering emotional intelligence and self-awareness. 

Zotis continues to push the boundaries of artistic expression while inspiring others to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery in a process she calls Creative Mindfulness, Life is Art as life is the ultimate masterpiece.

She is based in Chelsea NYC. 

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    Education: 

    Hunter College, NYC, 1988-1993

    Art Students League, NYC, 1993-1995

    Apprentice, Byzantine Iconography, Astoria NY, 1993

    Apprentice, Buddhist Mandala, Pokhara Nepal, 1996

 

    Grants: 

• Rauschenberg Emergency Grant, 2021

• Artist Relief 2020

• Emergency Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Grant 2007

• Artists Fellowship Grant 2008

• Puffin Foundation 2007

 

    Selected Solo Exhibitions:

• ILLUME, Aperture Building Chelsea, February 2023

• Step Into the Light, Pop Up, Chelsea June 2018 

• Be Nice, Project 301, Chelsea March 2015

• Occupy, Heliopolis, Greenpoint Brooklyn Oct 2011

• Phoenix Raising, collaboration Grammy winner Christian McBride, Agni Gallery, East Village, June 2009

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    Selected Group Exhibitions:

• A/TYPICAL NOW, OPENING GALLERY, Tribeca, February 2023

• THE BRAND NEW NEW YEAR SHOW, Not Another Gallery, David Craig Ellis, Williamsburg Brooklyn,  January 2023

• Light Year "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil" Brooklyn Bridge Dumbo, curator John Ensor Parker, Nov, 2020 

• The Fourth Stage, Abstract Theory and the Silver Lining of Allegorical Necessity, IFAC, LES, NYC, 2018 

• The Rent is Too Damn High, Albear/Zamudio, NYC, Oct 2017

• Super Stars, The Black Sheep, Milano, Italy, March 2017

• Mykonos Biennale, July 2015

• Mykonos Biennale & Vanessa Quang Gallery, Paris, June 2014

• Family Affairs, IFAC, NYC, March 2014

• Separation Anxiety, Wallplay, NYC, March 2014 

• Crisis and Paganism, Mykonos Biennale, Greece, June 2013

• Low Lives, The Vault, SPACES, NYC, June-July 2013

• Feed Your Food, Ingenuity Fest Cleveland, Sept 2012

• Blk Xmas, Michael Lyons Gallery, NYC Oct 2011

• The Beatles Complete On Ukulele, Haunch of Venison, NYC Mar 2011

• Divine Influence, Past and Present, Wilmer Jennings Gallery, NYC  Nov 2010

• The Facebook Show, The Detroit Museum of New Art, Michigan Oct 2010

• Low Lives 2, EL Museo del Barrio, NYC,  Aljira A Center for Contemporary Art, Fusebox, Galeria de la Raza, Diaspora Vibe Gallery, Obsidian Arts, the temporary space, Co-Lab, Terminal (APSU), Studio 304, Artists Television Access (ATA)  Apr 2010

• X Initiative, Dia Chelsea, NYC Feb 2010

• Million $, Pittsburg Cultural Trust Gallery, P.A.  June 2009

• Alchemy, Hudson Guild Gallery, NYC Feb 2009

• LES Arts Festival, Theater For The New City Gallery, NYC  July 2008

• Sacred Ways, Tria Gallery, NYC  June 2007

• Essence of Asia, Asian Cultural Center, NYC Apr 2007

• Confluence, Musee de Monoian/ Society for Cultural Exchange, Pittsburgh PA Oct 2006

• Windows Project, East Hampton Ma Sept 2006

• ArtsAid, Bangalore and Delhi, India April 2006

 

    Art Fairs:

• Platforms Project, IFAC, Athens, Greece 2022

• Separation Anxiety II, Wallplay, Cutlog, NYC May 2014 

• Flush, Creamhotel, Fountain, Miami Dec 2012, and NYC 2013

• Dual, Pool Art Fair, NYC Mar 2011

• Cultural Revolution, Scope, Miami Dec 2010

• LES Artists Do Miami, Scope, Miami Dec 2007

 

    Director:

• Agnosian, Chelsea NYC 2020-present

• Agni Gallery, East Village 2004-2009 

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    Selected Curated Exhibitions: 

• Simplicity is Complex, Agni Gallery 2009

• Aliens and Zombies, Agni Gallery, NYC Oct 2008

• GODdess, Agni Gallery, NYC June 2008

• Headless Pig, Agni Gallery, NYC, April 2007

• PUNK MONK, Agni Gallery, NYC, Sept 2007

• Dreams and Fairy Tales, Agni Gallery, NYC Oct 2006

• Words and Vibrations, Agni Gallery, NYC June 2006

• Rated R for RANDOM, Agni Gallery, NYC Sept 2005

 

    Documentaries:

• Life Without Compromise by Susan Al-Doghachi premiere 2010 Anthology Film Archives

• Art In the City by Ben Van Bergen 2014 Amazon Prime

 

    Residencies:

        Cycladic Arts, Paros Greece 2023

• ArtsAid, Storytelling through Art, Bangalore and Delhi India 2006

• Musee de Monoian, Hoonah Alaska 2009

• Cycladic 

 

    Community Empowerment/ Teaching:

• MAY Kids Transform, 2012-present, Founder and Director of youth and educators wellness curriculums www.maykidstransform.org 

• Community Painting for youth, Agni Gallery 2004-09

• Created Ceramics school for nursery Westside, Co-Op YMCA 2001-2003