J e f r e i d
Biography
Jefreid Lotti (1989) is a Cuban born artist based in Miami, FL. In 2016 he earned an MFA degree from the University of Florida and has conducted artist lectures, residencies, and workshops at various cultural institutions across the US. Lotti makes primarily oil paintings; obsessively representing a multitude of personal interiors scenes, sill life and portraits with an abundance of impasto oil paint. He draws inspiration from his upbringing in Cuba, his hometown of Miami, his memorable experience living in the Midwest, and his dayjob in a mechanic shop. His work has a low/high brow juxtaposition that merges blue collar subjects and fine art aesthetics. In 2012, he co-founded the group Serverus with Miguel Saludes and Alvaro Labanino resulting in a seven year long collaboration of painting centric exhibitions. Lotti's work has been exhibited for fifteen years at institutions like the Frost Art Museum, The Trout Museum of Art, the YAA Museum and the Coral Gables Museum, The Frank C. Ortis Gallery (FL) the Lawton Gallery at UWGB (WI) and the Hollywood Art and Culture Center (FL). Notable galleries that have exhibited his work include Bernice Steinbaum Gallery (Miami), James May Gallery (Milwaukee), Platabanda Gallery (Miami), Amat Art Gallery (Miami) and Good Naked (NY). His works are in numerous private and public collections across the US including Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, Santa Fe College, Gainesville, FL, The University of Wisconsin Green Bay, WI, the University of Florida galleries, Gainesville, FL, the University of Miami Business school, Miami, FL and the Coral Gables Museum, Coral Gables, FL. In 2020 he co founded the artist collective @hot_stuf11 and the duo CONVIVIR with his wife Krystal T. Rodriguez. Lotti made his international debut with Good Naked Gallery (NY) at the Minor Attraction Art Fair, London, UK in 2024.
Artist Statement
I'm currently working on two bodies of work Essential Work (2020- ) and MOODS (2015-) Although the subject matter overlaps at times, the design and process of each series is very different from each other.
Essential Work is a series of observational paintings of the mechanic shop where I work a full time job. These oil paintings of lone objects are done in isolation and after closing time. The shop being an "essential business" remained open during the worst of the pandemic, while most of the world was on lockdown. I ceased on the opportunity to use the space as a studio and subject matter. These paintings are as much about formalism as they are about becoming resilient through challenges like isolation and financial hardship. I see these works as a homage to the blue collar workers I grew up around, Those who keep the modern world running through any adversity.
Moods is an ongoing series of expressive, textural portraits and still lifes rendered primarily with oil on handmade papers. These works, many of which are self-portraits, draw inspiration from moments of everyday life—whether it’s the sweaty resilience of a blue-collar worker or the quiet introspection of a mother absorbed in her phone. This work borders between figuration and abstraction. I build textured papers with uneven edges and apply thick, gestural layers of paint. These layers are combined with elements of collage, drawing, and printmaking. The result is a precarious surface that reveals the vulnerability of both the subject and the maker.