5 Artists on Our Radar in August 2024

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. Carino's current solo exhibition, "56," presents a new series of paintings created during his residency at PM/AM in London, continuing his exploration of queer expression.

One standout work from the show, The Last Raven (2024), depicts male nude figures amid lush grass and wildflowers. Their bodies appear in a state of serene relaxation, highlighted with bright pops of orange and purple that echo the flora surrounding them. 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, Monya Rowe Gallery, Sow & Tailor, Monti8, A BLVE ROSE, and Auxier/Kline. His works have also recently appeared in group shows at James Cohan and Yossi Milo Gallery.

-Adeola Gay