Thomas Frontini (b. 1967, Canada) combines surrealist techniques of painting detailed foreground images with atmospheric backgrounds. The dreamlike imagery balances contemporary objects with historical scenes. His paintings explore magic in the mundane and draw from the transformative power of the subconscious.
Frontini’s palette and technique are directly influenced by his Italian heritage and interest in Italian art history. With his incorporation of historical research into the modern day, he creates a dialogue across time, from the past, present and future. His reference material is sourced from current topical issues that humans face, using metaphors to portray an intangible potential of the future. Immense landscapes stretch out around intricately painted flora and fauna. Thickly painted cliff faces and clouds are dotted with tiny details of futuristic habitats. Expressive abstract orbs are enwrapped in a volume of light and distance. In a carefully measured vagueness, Frontini’s paintings address not only the seen world, but a world of puzzling fantasies.
His career highlights include solo exhibitions at prominent venues like the Richard Levy Gallery in Albuquerque, New Mexico (2016), and the William Busta Gallery in Cleveland, Ohio (2014). He has showcased his work at prestigious events, including Art Expo New York and festivals in Turkey and China, and participated in group exhibitions in major cities such as Miami, Los Angeles, and New York, establishing a significant presence in the art world.
Frontini's notable awards include:
• Sara Jane Pyne Materials Grant from Ohio State University (1992)
• Jurors Award from the Chattahoochee Valley Arts Museum (1991)
Frontini received a BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art and an MFA from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, USA. He has built an impressive career marked by extensive exhibitions across Canada, the United States, London, China, and Turkey, including a notable solo show in Venice, Italy, which coincided with the launch of his monograph. His artwork is included in several public and private collections, such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul, Korea, and the Cleveland Clinic Collection in Cleveland, Ohio. His background in Cleveland and his academic pursuits have profoundly influenced his artistic vision and the themes he explores in his evocative body of work. Born and raised in Canada, Frontini currently lives and works in Cleveland, Ohio.
