Biography: The Premonition in Paint

There is a profound, almost eerie irony that sits at the center of Benjamin Casiano’s life’s work. Long before the physical world blurred for him, his canvases were already telling a story of singular vision. For years, the New York City-born artist was captivated by a recurring motif: the one-eyed figure. At the time, it was a deliberate stylistic choice—a pop-cubist alter ego that allowed him to explore minimalism and symmetry in a way that felt fresh, modern, and deeply human. He was painting the underdog, the overlooked, and the misunderstood. Then, life imitated art in a way no one could have predicted. A sudden and devastating medical emergency claimed the sight in Casiano’s left eye, transforming his artistic signature into his physical reality. What many would have viewed as a career-ending tragedy, Casiano embraced as a spiritual alignment. He was no longer just painting one-eyed figures; he was living the perspective he had spent years documenting. This Vision of the Singular Lens became his ultimate strength, proving the philosophy that it is the biography of the "why" that gives fine art its true heartbeat.

 

Artist Statement

Recognized for a signature Neo-Pop Cubist style, my work fuses the geometric abstraction of modern masters with bold, contemporary expressionism. Central to my practice is the one-eyed figure—a motif that evolved from a symbolic alter ego into a reflection of my personal identity following a permanent loss of vision. My paintings often pay tribute to classical music and the strength of women through bold, singular perspectives.

​

Significant Honors & Awards

• Curator's Award | 10th Geoje International Art Festival, South Korea (2024)

• Art Collectors' Choice Awards | Recognized as one of the "World's Best Cubists" (2024)

• International Recognition | Featured in global art publications across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, including the Arts to Hearts Project.

 

Professional Experience

The Klein Memorial Auditorium | Curator, Mezzanine Gallery | Bridgeport, CT (2014 - Present)

• Organizes statewide exhibitions and provides professional platforms for regional artists to gain exposure.

• Spearheads critical fundraising initiatives and silent auctions for vital community organizations, including BronxWorks.

       Casiano Art & Design LLC | Founder & Creative Director (2009 - Present)

• Translates over two decades of high-level advertising and promotional experience into a specialized fine art and curation practice.

       Advertising Career | Creative Director (Prior to 2009)

• Served as Art Director for world-renowned agencies, including Young & Rubicam and Lowe & Partners, managing global branding and design projects.

 

Education

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) | Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY

 

Selected Collections

• Yukyung Art Museum | South Korea

• National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (NMPRAC) | Chicago, IL

• Corporate & Private Collections | Held across the United States, Europe, and Asia

 

Exhibition Highlights

• New York City: Van Der Plas Gallery, Mayson Gallery, NYA Gallery

• International: Galerie Luc Berthier (Paris), Singulart (Paris), Artemist Gallery (Holland)

• Regional: Carriage Barn Art Center (New Canaan), Greenwich Art Society, Gallery 51 (Philadelphia)