J. Carino, Boundless, 2025; Limited Edition Print
This print will launch Tuesday, September 16th. Please sign up for our newsletter for early access!
J. Carino is interested in the interactions between people and nature, and how the creation of our sense of self is connected with the natural world. Drawing from a wide range of art historical references that include Modernism, medieval tapestry, millefiori glass, and WPA-era muralists, his paintings express the idea that nudity, sexuality, and queerness are as essential to nature as rocks and trees. The artist begins his process by drawing landscapes en plein air, models and friends from life, and additionally self-portraits. These sketches become the basis for intuitive compositions—defined by bold colors, distortions, and playful forms—that meld human characters with the environment. Born in Littleton, CO and based in Riverside, CA, Carino has presented work in galleries that include Monya Rowe Gallery, New York, NY; Yossi Milo, New York, NY; James Cohan Gallery, New York, NY; Shulamit Nazarian, Los Angeles, CA; PM/AM Gallery, London, United Kingdom; and Sow & Tailor, Los Angeles, CA; among others.
In Boundless, a nude figure reclines on a bed of flowers, while gazing outwards at rolling hills and mountains that unfold across the distance. Situated at the lower corner of the composition, the primary subject is delineated by sinewy strokes of purple and bright green that contrast his figure from the surrounding landscape. In creating this work, Carino wanted to capture the feeling of peacefulness and limitless potential that comes from being in nature, and was inspired by the wildflower ‘superbloom’ that occasionally covers California’s hillsides with golden flora. He notes, “It feels like a spiritual experience to see them. The towering yucca flower stalks feel like glowing candles lighting the way forward.” For this limited edition series, the artist will hand embellish the prints with gold ink to further enhance the already shimmering palette, and to recall art deco lacquer work, Gustav Klimt’s iridescent paintings, and Millard Sheets’s mosaics.
Of ART FOR CHANGE’s initiative to support the Ali Forney Center, the artist notes, “The Ali Forney Center does such incredible work for the LGBTQ+ community. So many queer people are not accepted by their families, and to have a place that offers housing and care—not just during emergencies, but as preparation for becoming independent—is an incredible gift. As government protections for queer people, particularly trans people, are stripped away in our current political landscape, places like The Ali Forney Center are now even more vital.”
J. Carino
Boundless, 2025
20 x 21.5 inches
Archival pigment print
Limited edition of 10
Hand-embellished, signed, and numbered by the artist
Limited edition of 15 with 5 AP + 1 PP
Signed and numbered by the artist
*International customers are responsible for applicable duties and taxes including new VAT fees.
*Unframed prints ship within 1-3 weeks.
*Framed prints ship within 3-6 weeks.