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-born artist was captivated by a recurring motif: the one-eyed figure. At the time, it was a stylistic choice—a pop-cubist "alter ego" that allowed him to explore minimalism and symmetry in a way that felt fresh & modern. He was painting the "underdog," the overlooked, & the misunderstood. Then, life imitated art in a way no one could have predicted. A sudden & 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 wasn’t just painting one-eyed figures anymore; he was living the perspective he had spent years documenting. This "Vision of the Singular Lens" became his strength, proving the philosophy: a biography of the "why" that gives art its 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 & 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, & Asia, including more recently, 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 fundraising initiatives & silent auctions for community organizations like BronxWorks.
Casiano Art & Design LLC | Founder & Creative Director (2009 - Present)
Translates over two decades of high-level advertising & promotional experience into a specialized fine art & curation practice. Advertising Career | Creative Director (Prior to 2009) Served as Creative Director for world-renowned firms, including Young & Rubicam, Lowe & Partners, managing global branding & design projects.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BA) | 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 in the United States, Europe & 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 in Philadelphia.
