B. 1987, Chicago, IL, United States
Lives and works in Chicago, IL, United States
Chicago-born and raised, Fontaine Scarelli is an abstract expressionist painter whose work electrifies the art world with a blend of raw emotion and philosophical depth. A former fashion design student, Scarelli made an unconventional leap into painting, bringing with him a sense of defiant creativity and a visual language that’s entirely his own.
Scarelli’s canvases, often large-scale and immersive, pull viewers into a narrative space where time, memory, and perception collide. Drawing on influences from post-apocalyptic films, The Twilight Zone, and a solitary upbringing, his work speaks to existential themes of life, death, and the dissonance between reality and illusion. Each piece channels his fascination with the strange and the sublime, blending rebellion and introspection in a way that defies traditional boundaries.
This past year has marked a pivotal moment in Scarelli’s career, with major solo exhibitions and representation by Virgil Catherine Gallery, Loisir Art Gallery, Gallery 1871 in Chicago, and Morrison Gallery in Connecticut. He made his debut at Art Basel Miami Beach through Luminaire, and in July 2025, four of his artworks were licensed to Netflix for a new film project featuring a major star. His piece Drifting Shards 2 was featured in L’Officiel St. Barth as part of their “Best of Art Basel 2024” coverage.
Additionally, his large-scale painting The Idea of Time was acquired by the global design firm Perkins&Will; and is now on display in their remodeled Chicago studio. His work, once featured at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chicago, is currently on view at Luminaire’s Hollywood Design District showroom. He was also recently interviewed and featured in Visual Art Journal, adding to his growing visibility in the contemporary art world.
For Scarelli, every brushstroke is a form of self-discovery — a narrative of solitude, surreal memory, and the universal human condition. His paintings invite viewers into unfamiliar dimensions, encouraging them to look deeper and question the very nature of time, existence, and perception. Whether working with private collectors or introducing new audiences to his richly layered visions, Scarelli’s work leaves a lasting imprint — not just visually, but emotionally and philosophically.