New York Artist, Ross Pino. Photo by Victoria Kulikova.
Art Basel draws artists, gallerists and buyers to Miami Beach at the beginning of December and this year, New York artist Ross Pino made his mark. The artist now lives in New York and has a studio in Bushwick. “I want to be a more deep thinking conceptual artist, very philosophical, very rebellious in its approach. I want to go against the norms and the grain when it comes to fine art,” he said.
Before Art Basel, Pino talked to me in his New York studio about his work and how he became an artist. “I grew up as a skateboarder. That culture—fashion, music, art, it shaped me. But I didn’t start painting until seven years ago. I fell in love with it, but I realized I didn’t know anything about art. So, I went back to school,” he said.
He began to study art history and foundational painting techniques. It gave him perspective. “Learning about the masters—Basquiat, Bacon, Dalí—it changed everything for me. It gave me the fundamentals I needed but also allowed me to experiment in my own way.” On his Instagram page Pino says that his work draws upon his Navajo roots using colors that reflect the earth in New Mexico.
Damin Lee, art gallery manager who has worked with Pino, described him as a creative force and a master of self-promotion. “He’s got this incredible balance of soft and hard, light and dark,” Lee said. “His art captures the duality of life, and that’s something everyone can connect with.”
Victoria Kulikova and Damin Lee, Art Gallery Manager. Photo by Victoria Kulikova.
And he seems to make the most of his “rock star” image, with his good looks, tattoos and edgy persona. “He’s almost like a celebrity artist,” gallerist Lee said. “He knows how to get his work and his message out there, whether it’s through social media, interviews, or collaborations. People see his work and instantly recognize it. It has that signature style, even as it evolves.”
Lee recalls a specific piece of Pino’s that left a lasting impression. “It was this cubist-style face he painted. Depending on your perspective, it could look happy or apathetic. It was so layered, both visually and emotionally. That’s what he does—he creates art that forces you to see it differently every time.”
His latest work explores themes of death and spirituality. “Death isn’t about evil,” he explained. “It’s a reminder to live fully. Memento mori. My dad wanted me to play it safe. Get a stable job, follow the system. But I wanted to live for what I loved, even if it meant struggling.”
His connection to spirituality is evident not just in his themes but in subtle motifs within his art. The number 11 appears frequently, a nod to the synchronicities he sees as divine guidance. “I kept seeing 11:11 when I started painting—it felt like the universe telling me I was on the right path,” he said.
For the Art Basel work, he created a series that blends geometry and muted tones. He said that he was influenced by Francis Bacon and Danny Fox. Yet, even as he experiments, his work retains its signature rawness. “I want my art to reflect the times but also feel timeless,” he said.
Pinos offers advice to younger artists and those starting out. “Don’t give up,” he said firmly. “Art isn’t easy. You’ll doubt yourself. You’ll hit roadblocks. But if you’re serious, you keep going—one painting at a time.”
