INCOMPLETE
MEDIUM: OIL ON CANVAS, 48" x 60"
“As a younger artist, I have experienced, and continue to experience, the way older generations and the wealthy class actively prevent those who exist outside of their ultra privileged circle from entering their tightly protected industries. At the time of making this work, I was experiencing this frustration very intensely, and I imagined a man sitting isolated in a luxurious home, with an expensive view. I imagine him empty, containing no color, inseparable from his suit, having killed the human part of himself (which I imagine as the legs in the bottom left corner). His Faustian Bargain is that he chose to eradicate his personhood, thereby separating himself from the people he views as "below" him, existing as distant silhouettes in his ocean view, in order to ascend to abject wealth and power.”
Luciano Thomas, 26, Los Angeles - USA ✯ IG & TT: @luciano.blonds & www.lucianothomas.com
“Luciano Thomas (b.1997 Long Beach, CA) is an accomplished artist whose creative endeavors span both the realms of visual art and music. Graduating with a Bachelor's in Art, with an emphasis in oil painting, from the University of California, Santa Barbara's College of Creative Studies, Luciano has honed his skills and developed a unique artistic vision.
In his approach to painting, Luciano deliberately chooses to work from imagination, seeking to convey the purest iteration of his artistic perspective while ensuring intentionality in every element of his creations. Similarly, as the driving force behind the music project Blonds, Luciano takes on the roles of songwriter, instrumentalist, and the mixing/mastering engineer. This multi-faceted involvement in his music reflects his commitment to artistic autonomy and purpose.
Exploring themes of solitude, nostalgia, and loss, Luciano's work in both painting and music is characterized by heightened emotion. He combines recognizable subject matter with abstraction, resulting in compositions that convey a priority of feeling over naturalistic rendering. Luciano remains steadfast in his belief that his art is open to diverse interpretations, rejecting any singular, definitive "meaning" behind his creations. Through his dedication to artistic expression, Luciano Thomas invites viewers and listeners alike to embark on a journey of personal interpretation and emotional connection with his work.”