Anthony Ragucci is an accomplished artist whose educational journey includes an MFA in Painting from Indiana University Bloomington, completed in 2006, and a BFA in Painting/2D Studies from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, awarded in 2004. He also participated in the Berlin Sculpture Program in Germany and studied at the Studio Art Centers International in Florence, Italy.
Ragucci’s artistic practice has been showcased in numerous exhibitions, both solo and group, across the globe. Notable exhibitions include the Gwangju Media Arts Festival in South Korea, The Space in Between at Compere Collective in Brooklyn, and the CADAF Digital Art Fair in New York. His work has also been featured in various prestigious venues in Beijing, Canada, and Australia, among others. His solo exhibition, “The Trials and Tribulations of Johnny Paintstroke,” was held at the Skipton Gallery in Victoria, Australia, and he has participated in multiple international performance art festivals in South Korea.
Throughout his career, Ragucci has received several awards and accolades, including a residency at Residency Unlimited in Brooklyn and official selections at various film festivals, such as the Kaaryat International Film Festival in India and the South African Horrorfest Film Festival. His collaborative video project, Elements, has traveled to notable venues like the Society for Contemporary Photography in Kansas City and Fotofest in Houston.
Ragucci’s work explores the intricate relationship between human actions, environmental perception, and self-identity. His artistic journey began with a focus on the human condition, delving into aesthetic and emotional connections through a blend of painting, drawing, sculpture, and animation. Recently, he has concentrated on the concept of “home,” investigating how emotional ties to places and environments shape our identities. Having lived in various foreign cultures, he draws inspiration from seemingly mundane daily interactions, the written and spoken word, and his immediate surroundings. These observations are abstracted into visual dialogues, rendered in both two and three dimensions.
His water-based paintings feature brushwork that evokes both Chinese characters and the expressive styles of mid-20th-century American painters. This layering of marks, pours, drips, and splashes is complemented by graphic ink lines, referencing Asian landscape painting and creating a structure within chaos that bridges Eastern and Western traditions. Ragucci often repurposes discarded paintings and incorporates traditional Korean and Chinese papers to add depth and dimension to his work.
This spring, the artist is set to open a new studio in the vibrant Glassell Park area of Los Angeles. This exciting venture will serve as a hub for creativity, collaboration, and community engagement, showcasing his innovative approach to art. The studio will not only function as a workspace but also host workshops, exhibitions, and events that invite public participation in the artistic process.
In addition to his studio opening, Ragucci is preparing for a significant exhibition in Gwangju, South Korea, scheduled for summer 2025. This exhibition will highlight his mastery of paper as a medium, showcasing intricate pieces that challenge traditional perceptions of art. The fragility and strength of paper allow Ragucci to create works that resonate deeply with viewers, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and connecting him with a broader audience.
As Anthony embarks on these exciting new chapters, both the studio opening in Los Angeles and the upcoming exhibition in Gwangju promise to be pivotal moments in his artistic journey. Art enthusiasts and the local community are encouraged to follow his progress and engage with the events that will unfold in the coming months. With his passion and dedication, Anthony Ragucci is poised to make a lasting impact on the art world.
Photo credits: The photos are from the artist’s archive.