1xRUN Thru Interview
Portrait Of A Civilization by Francesco Lo Castro
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent show that you had? Is the original still for sale?
Francesco Lo Castro: The original is no longer available. The painting was part of my ‘Advent’ solo exhibition at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood in 2013. With ‘Advent’ (meaning arrival/rise) I sought to depict the impact of humanity’s technological advances and their merging with the organic world to create a symbiosis so transformative that it would give rise to a new way of life, new social constructs and a new form of civilization.
1xRun: What materials did you use to create this piece?
Francesco Lo Castro: Acrylic, silkscreen, spray paint and layered epoxy resin on wood.
1xRun: When was the piece created?
Francesco Lo Castro: 2013.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about…
Francesco Lo Castro: I had two basic intentions: to create an abstract narrative that was wide open to exploration and interpretation and to compose it in a way that depicted the fluid melding of biology and technology. In regards to technique, I wanted to blur the line between organism and machine and set out to hand paint images which had the appearance of having been digitally produced.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Francesco Lo Castro: The work took more or less a month to paint.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Francesco Lo Castro: It’s my first successful attempt at a softer color palette and the use of translucent color tonalities. I’m quite happy with the overall balance of the piece.
1xRun: Why should people buy this piece?
Francesco Lo Castro: I’m not sure why. I guess everyone has different reasons. My only advice would be that if a work speaks to you, you should answer its call and let it into your life.
1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Francesco Lo Castro: Accurate.
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Francesco Lo Castro: I was born this way.
1xRun: What was your first piece?
Francesco Lo Castro: Probably something made of food.
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Francesco Lo Castro: Work that seemed in touch with the otherworldly always had a mysterious draw on me. i.e. Rothko, Vasarely, Hundertwasser, Boccioni, and Hauser.
1xRun: What artists inspire you now?
Francesco Lo Castro: Mainly artists who are younger than me. Their work smells of revolution.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work?
Francesco Lo Castro: My music catalog is too vast to get into here. Let’s just say that music is very, very important. So are audiobooks and podcasts.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Francesco Lo Castro: My nephew, because I get to experience the world of innocence and happy accidents through his eyes.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Francesco Lo Castro: My grandfather. I’d love to share in his wisdom and ponder the ways of the world with him, something I was too young and unwilling to do while he was alive.
1xRun: Where can we find you?
Francesco Lo Castro: Website – Facebook – Instagram @locastro –
-1xRUN