As viewers take in the layers of Anthony Razo Rico’s Ain’t What Ya Think, they begin to uncover the artist’s process and the symbolic peeling back of identity. The subject’s piercing gaze cuts through a field of carefully painted vertical lines—an homage to Rico’s background in sign painting. These lines contrast sharply with the expressive, flaring spray paint in the background. By blending traditional and nontraditional techniques, Rico merges abstracted penmanship into a composition that challenges how we perceive the figure. The work disrupts assumptions and encourages deeper reflection—reminding us, as the title suggests, it ain’t what you think.

Description written by Miguel Zavala-Lopez, 2025.