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The Art of Kurtis Wells

Kurtis Wells creates work that refuses to behave—pop-surreal canvases driven by humor, psychological drama, and cultural provocation. His self-taught practice merges street art sensibilities with neo-expressionist impulse, mixing caricature, pop culture references, and unflinching emotional honesty. High-contrast, saturated color—acidic yellows, reds, blues, greens—heightens the emotional intensity and visual noise.

Working from sketches, Wells employs acrylics, oil bars, and mixed media to build pieces that range from monumental to postcard-sized. He paints in series rather than isolated works, allowing themes to develop across multiple canvases without self-censorship. This approach lets ideas evolve and complicate themselves—what begins as observation can shift into satire, confession, or raw psychological territory. Politics, music, everyday observation, and an overactive imagination fuel each canvas.

Wells believes stories breathe life into art while over-explanation can suffocate it. His work operates in that tension—specific enough to hook viewers into a narrative, open enough to let them complete it on their own terms. The images trust audiences to bring their own experiences to the conversation, creating meaning through collaboration rather than prescription.

For Wells, passion isn't a luxury—it's the relentless force behind decades of uninterrupted creation, the engine that keeps the cycle running.

Jan 2nd-Jan 30th 2026
Reception: SunJan 18th 2-4pm

300 South Thomas Street , Pomona, CA 91766