RAIR | 2022-23

LUCIEN SHAPIRO

Lucien Shapiro was born in 1979, in Santa Rosa, CA. He attended San Francisco Academy of Art University and received a BFA in 2003. Shapiro is a multi-faceted artist whose work spans across sculpture, performance, and film. Shapiro’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally at museums, festivals, galleries, and art fairs. Common themes in Shapiro’s work include a meticulous attention to craft, self-healing, and the transformation of forgotten objects into interesting and symbolic relics.
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In a world of rapid climate change, by utilizing materials most would discard, I create a raw conversation between treasure and trash. I typically use materials like bottle caps and “street diamonds'' (glass from vandalized cars I sweep off the street), thereby transforming them into something new and hopeful.
I am interested in dissecting every element that creates the human I am today. This goes back through generations of family trauma, education, parenting, and guidance. Through creation I have the opportunity to tear all of this down and rebuild it over and over again. This is why my work concentrates on objects of intention, like self portraits, portals, protection walls, and earth spells. These forms echo a healing language of deep self work, experimentation and travel.
I also incorporate performance and films to better explore my practice. All performances are crowd participatory and challenge the viewers to face anything, from their greatest fears to manifesting and setting intentions. Each individual is powerful enough to enact change in their own life, and to establish meaningful practices that help them accomplish their goals. I am merely a conduit, using my art to help viewers begin their personal process of healing.

Roswell Museum

Rair exhibition • Lucien Shapiro “While you praise the butterfly don’t disrespect the caterpillar” • May 20 - July 23, 2023

See more of Lucien’s work here.