J Carino Golden, 2024

“Golden” is inspired by the color and composition of religious iconographic paintings, but in this work the central figure is shirtless, sensually resting amongst an abstracted floral background in jewel tones reminiscent of a stained glass window. 

J. Carino’s enchanting landscapes embrace queer identity. In his fantastical, fluid paintings, peaceful meadows and towering peaks offer a sanctuary for the human form, providing alternatives to heteronormative narratives surrounding desire and intimacy. Drawing inspiration from both personal and idealized representations of the body, Carino’s paintings present queerness in a natural context, as an organic part of the human experience. Carino holds a BFA from Parsons School of Design. He has mounted solo shows across the U.S. and Europe at PM/AM (London), Monya Rowe Gallery (New York), Sow & Tailor (Los Angeles), and Monti8 (Italy). His works have also appeared in group shows at James Cohan (New York), Yossi Milo (New York), Nazarian Curcio (Los Angeles), and Rhodes (London).