A tale of paradise, cataclysm, and hope by artist J. Carino. Born in Littleton, Colorado and currently based in Riverside, California, Carino draws heavily from the terrain of both home territories. His work examines humanity’s relationship to the natural world, furthering a queer perspective through peaceful transgression and challenging societal constraints, whether on people or nature.
In “Carry It With You,” the individual tableaux of Carino’s paintings come together to create a single visual epic: a tale that positions queer people as the main actors in a new American myth. From pastoral frontiers to scenes of floods and fires, the narrative running through this collection reflects an environmental and political landscape shifting underfoot. A response to current anxieties around climate change as well as the erosion of legal protections for LGBTQ people, Carino considers what queer people carry with them. And, rather than focus on burdens and baggage, fears and uncertainties, Carino embraces queer pleasure and possibility, encouraging his audience to see that they have all they need to build a new utopia.
“Carry It With You” marks Carino’s debut solo exhibition with Yossi Milo gallery. The show opens June 26 and runs until July 25th. All images courtesy of J. Carino and Yossi Milo, New York.
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