An Artist’s Vision in Florals
SVACE student James Falciano has been utilizing portraiture to challenge the mainstream perspective of gender identity. A recent student in Peter Fiore’s class, The Painting of Light, James has produced a series of colorful, exuberant portraits drawn in marker. Interested to learn more, we caught up with Falciano to discuss his recent body of work and expanding subject matter.
SVACE: What led you toward your current work in portraiture?
JF: It was the 2016 election that ultimately awakened me as an artist and a person. It felt like a now-or-never moment to start using my abilities to create work that represents my community, who I am and what I stand for. My subject matter went from “safe” landscapes to queer activist work, aiming to further celebrate the queer community and aid in the fight for a greater visibility.
SVACE: Can you explain the feminine and masculine iconography in your images?
JF: Gender identity is an absolutely integral part of my work, as it becomes more prevalent with each piece that explores the identities of others and myself. I like to play with masculine and feminine elements as a way to combat the rigid binary Western society forces upon people before they are even born. My images convey a softness in my male subjects that emits sensuality, peace and a confidence in their masculine-to-feminine balance. I believe we all possess both energies within ourselves and our true power as human beings is harnessed when these energies are working together. My work combats the fear of gender by presenting subjects who are calmly and confidently staring at the viewer as if to say, “I am here, I exist and I am beautiful. You do not need to fear me, but you do need to respect my place in humanity, as I have just as much right to be here as you.”
Marker-on-paper drawing by James Falciano: Marsha P. Johnson
Interested in art, gender, and activism? Check out this project by Lorenzo Triburgo, SVACE faculty member.
A version of this feature appeared in our spring 2019 issue of SVA ContinuEd, available now by visiting or calling our office. Follow our updates and stories on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages!