John Grasso Art. Figurative Abstract Series

John Grasso (b. 1970)

EMERGENCE  2026

Oil on canvas
80 × 50 cm
Signed lower left “JG”

Unique original work

Oil on Canvas

Certificate of Authenticity included

Emergence, 2026 is an expressive abstract oil painting in which colour and gesture become the principal language. Rich violet, plum, ochre, crimson, emerald and luminous yellow sweep across the vertical canvas in rhythmic, interwoven passages. Forms appear to twist, converge and unfold, creating a powerful sensation of movement and transformation. The dense application of oil preserves the immediacy of the artist’s hand, while contrasting colours generate depth and visual tension. Rather than depicting a fixed subject, Grasso invites the viewer to discover shifting forms within the composition. The painting evokes an atmosphere of energy, change and continual emergence from within colour itself.

Artist

John Grasso (b. 1970, Mareeba, Queensland) is a self-taught Australian artist of Sicilian heritage, based in Cairns, Far North Queensland. His practice encompasses vibrant abstract and figurative painting, reflecting an ongoing exploration of colour, movement, culture and the expressive possibilities of oil paint.

Artist Statement

John Grasso 

My paintings are an exploration of colour, movement and the physical act of painting. I am interested in what happens when layers of paint, marks and colour interact rather than being completely controlled.

I work intuitively, allowing the painting to develop through repeated application, scraping, drawing and repainting. Colour is central to the process. Strong contrasts can create energy, while darker passages provide depth and allow brighter colours to emerge.

My surroundings in Far North Queensland, my interest in Japanese culture and my experience with martial arts have all contributed to the way I approach painting. I am interested in balance, discipline and movement, but also in the freedom that comes from allowing a painting to evolve.