Yesterday afternoon, I had the privilege of examining Nick Carbonaro’s works of art in the Rose Dining room. I was instantly fascinated by them; the vibrant colors, curvaceous shapes, and artfully calibrated ambiguity revealed themes of sexuality and an ongoing journey to find oneself.

One artwork that deeply resonated with me was Nick’s “Welcome to My Home.” As someone who is not an art expert, I appreciated that Nick’s art was abstract and therefore open to interpretation. I thought the piece portrayed gender fluidity because the central figure’s gender is not clearly defined. The figure possesses a combination of masculine and feminine qualities, thereby blurring gender lines. When I asked Nick about “Welcome to my Home”, he said that there is still a slight stigma against those who do not conform to traditional notions of the male or female gender. He also explained that the frame of the painting symbolized the entrance to the “home”, which he described as a haven in which one can be entirely himself or herself. One can unchain himself from society’s expectations and consequently truly understand oneself. I found the connotation of the piece very moving, and it was further compounded by its bold, red colors that implied intense, deep emotion. The area surrounding the figure is also scattered with chili peppers, giving the piece a textured, bumpy look. I believe that the uneven texture represents the obstacles that one faces on his journey to understanding himself.

Overall, I had a wonderful time looking at Nick’s paintings. It was a good opportunity for me to tap into my creative, artistic side and learn about modern art.