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When Freehold based artist Kortez created his “Life is Nothing Without Hue” meme it was a focused campaign to win the heart of a woman.

Today the meme and its art is inspired by the reciprocal love of family and friends.

“I created a meme, and the reality of her lack of love made me refocus on the love I had and still have to this very day,” he said.

Currently on display at Palette Gallery on Cookman Avenue through Sept. 25, “Life is Nothing Without Hue” is a mixed-media showcase of the artist’s esoteric urbanism – a branding that came from a close friend’s description of his work.

“We live in a world where branding is so important,” Kortez said. “That was a blessing, giving me that title and describing my work in that manner.”

Derived from a fusion of cultures influenced by pop, graffiti, African and indigenous arts, the aesthetics behind his esoteric urbanism is the vehicle for a sociopolitical voice.

Distinctive portraits and collages are often detailed with personal mementos and political references, where nothing is off limits – including student loan paperwork, his two daughters’ drawings, or a photocopied journal entry.

Take for example the frayed pieces of a blue blanket used in the depiction of plaid shirt. The blanket belonged to his deceased brother Demmick.

There is a Dump Trump piece, in which the figure’s yellow shirt is comprised of Daily News and NY Post articles from the Christie/Trump campaign tour.

And the African mask that features a diamond containing his mother and brother’s ashes affixed to the figure’s forehead.

“It’s my nature, because I like collage work, that I’m a bid of a hoarder,” he said. “There’s something about holding onto certain things and instead of throwing them out, I use them in artwork.”

The Scotch Plains native has exhibited in Asbury Park since early 2000, as well as in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and Washington DC.

The Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts graduate is a resident artist in two Newark eateries, and a part of the Celebrate 130 years of Newark celebration.

A 2 p.m. artist talk is planned for Sept. 25 at Palette Gallery, located at 716 Cookman Avenue.

For more information about the artist, visit his Facebook page here.

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