Carlos Americo: Scratching The Surface

Baker—Hall is thrilled to announce a solo exhibition by Miami-based painter Carlos Americo, entitled Scratching the Surface, opening Saturday, June 15, from 6 – 9 pm.

At an early age, artist Carlos Americo made a pivotal decision to embrace street art, marking a departure from a traditional art school trajectory. This fascination began in childhood, inspired by visits to the iconic Miami Marine Stadium and its vibrant tags. Determined to carve out a unique identity, the artist immersed deeply in the street art community, learning from and collaborating with respected international artists such as HoxxoH and 2alas. This experience was foundational, shaping the artist’s approach and honing his skills.

Debuting a new series of paintings, Americo’s exhibition showcases his journey transitioning from zine sketches and street art to a refined studio practice. Within street art, each artist develops a unique moniker signifying their presence. Americo created “Cam,” a character designed and painted throughout cities to represent himself. This signifier was developed using a single line, allowing for quick execution and escape—a necessity in the street art environment. This method ignited a deeper exploration into the study and investigation of lines.

Over time, Americo’s work evolved from simple repetitions to more complex compositions. Today, the artist’s paintings reflect this evolution, embodying abstract expressions of “Cam” in its fullest form. The central concept within his paintings is one of building systems that dictate and delineate decisions throughout the mark-making process. The artist investigates and constructs lines, often creating the illusion of lines without physically drawing them. This involves the use of gradients and color transitions, influenced by experiments with computer design.

At the core of the artist’s process is the “Basic Cam,” consisting of three non-overlapping parts. These elements interact in a uniform and systematic way, with simple shapes and patterns forming a cohesive structure. This method, where 1 becomes 2, and 2 becomes 4, underpins the artist’s approach to art, blending street-inspired spontaneity with deliberate, calculated design.