George Kocar

George Kocar’s work aims to bridge together a world of humor and joy with the realities of life as an artist. He highlights the ironic ways of life and art history with his playful cartoon-like figures that reference and at times criticize foundational modernists and societal values. His use of satirical themes and reference to foundational modernist artists and works allows him to create pieces that challenge cultural expectations in a humorous manner. Since his early career he has always put emphasis on the whimsical and joyous aspects of art as a way to deal with the world around him. Kocar himself explained his inspiration was sparked back in 1970 by a group entitled The Firesign Theater and their comedy album called “I think we are all bozos on this bus.” He has since explained his philosophies around his art have been a projection of this idea turning him into a “humorous expressionist.”

George started his work after he graduated from CSU in 1977 and in 1981 he received his Master of Fine Arts in illustration from Syracuse University and since has had over 50 solo shows and been included in 500 exhibitions across the world. His recent solo exhibitions include his Retrospective solo exhibition, The Artist Archives of the Western Reserve, Cleveland, Ohio (2024-2025); A solo show at Moreland Courts, Shaker Heights, Ohio (2023); and another Solo show at Artspace, Lima, Ohio (2021).