“For me, this represents the possibility of unity even within difference,” he said.

After many sessions of creating the piece, Onkst’s 48 x 36 acrylic work was recently chosen by the Museum of Art DeLand in Florida for their upcoming gallery, “Our Flag in American Art (1935-2026)” from June 19 to Aug. 16.

Onkst, 25, is honored that his work is included in the exhibit, especially as an Altoona-based artist.

“I’ve worked at this since I was young, so to see my work enter a larger national conversation around American art, (it’s really great),” he said.

Hollidaysburg artist Abraham Onkst’s painting, “United We Stand,” is set to be on display from June 19 to Aug. 16 in the group exhibit “Our Flag in American Art (1935-2026)” at the Museum of Art DeLand in Florida. Courtesy photo

At 12 years old, Onkst became obsessed with videos of graffiti artists tagging their names, which he attributes to his first artistic inspiration. Soon enough, he started to draw his classmates’ names in a graffiti-esque style and sold them for $10 a piece when attending the Hollidaysburg Area School District.

“I have always had that dual-sided brain shared between artist and entrepreneur,” he said.

He continued to pursue art throughout his post-secondary education from 2020-23 at Penn State Altoona’s Visual Arts Studies Program (VAST), where he was no stranger to university exhibits and other group exhibits, such as “Day One’s” in 2022 at 1Culture Gallery in San Jose, California, and “Group Exhibition” in 2021 at Contemporary Corridor in Philadelphia.

After graduation, he continued to show his work across the country, including “Anything Goes” in 2023 at the California Heritage Museum in Santa Monica, California, and “Featured Works” at Trimper Gallery in White Plains, New York.

As a result, his work has resonated with individuals across the country, including Houston resident Matt Tafoya, who found him on Instagram.

Tafoya said Onkst’s work is comparable to renowned street artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, while being something he’s never seen before.

“He has his own flavor I think makes him distinct,” Tafoya said.

Onkst was inspired by America’s culture and symbolism to create one of his more recent works, “United We Stand,” as those factors define his identity as an American citizen.

“This work began from a place of curiosity: a desire to explore what it means to make my own mark on the nation and culture that shaped me,” he said.

Onkst typically woke up about 4:30 a.m. daily to create his latest piece. He said creating this work required much preparation to visualize how he wanted his piece to be perceived.

While his piece symbolizes the overlapping nature of life itself, he said his mark-making was also influenced by modern media that is constantly flooded with voices and information.

“The painting acknowledges that confusion while ultimately pointing toward something hopeful — the enduring human spirit and our collective drive to keep striving for something better,” he said.

Harmon-Meek Gallery Director Juliana Meek gravitated toward Onkst’s piece at the beginning of the year, leading her to ask about including his work in their gallery exhibit from May 4 to 29.

She said his marks look very different up close, but blend when standing from far away.

“They don’t seem like they go together, but they come as one composition,” she said.

When the piece is displayed on June 19 in DeLand, he hopes the colors, movement and energy first catch the attention of viewers. They can then reflect on what his piece says to them.

In the future, Onkst plans to grow his skills, expand his career and build opportunities. He wants his works to reach new audiences on a local and global scale.

Meek is inviting Onkst next season for a solo show, as she’s excited about his artistic talents. He is currently the gallery’s youngest artist.

“I think he has a lot of promise, and I’m looking forward to knowing him better,” she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.