Johnny Nicoloro

Visions of Virgins

a unique look at the most beloved woman in the world

Johnny Nicoloro is an award-winning artist whose double-exposure compositions created entirely in his camera produce unique and visually compelling pieces.

Most recently, Johnny completed a five-month highly-acclaimed exhibition at The Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture in Los Angeles entitled Virgins of Los Angeles . The Latino Museum is a fan of Johnny’s art, having previously displayed a four-month exhibition entitled Las Virgenes – Visions of Inspiration.  Eight pieces from that exhibition were acquired for the museum’s permanent collection.

Johnny says it was natural to focus of his camera on the Virgin Mary, one of the most revered and iconic figures in the world.  “She has always been a place where I would go in my spiritual journey if I was having difficulties,” Johnny recounted in the article “Chasing Virgins” for Cafe Libre.  “I feel blessed that I have a natural affinity for spirituality. It came very easy for me. Growing up Catholic and saying the Hail Mary – it’s such an easy prayer to say …”

His affinity for the Virgin Mary led to a solo exhibition “LA Virgin” at Lot 44 Gallery in downtown LA.  Curator-at-large Lui Sanchez described Johnny’s work this way: “His creative mix of the spiritual icon with commercial, political and community imagery gives rise to the passion and compassion the Virgin Mary evokes as an iconic image.  Johnny’s imagery of double and triple exposures, blurred textures and off-kilter compositions vibrate the spirit of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe and other incarnations of the Virgin Mary amongst the frantic streets and alleys of Los Angeles.  His Virgins explore and expose our own spiritual, political and economic struggles and perhaps counters such struggles with a glimpse of passion, spirituality or faith that many Latinos recognize but may also speak to non-Latinos, parishioners and Atheists.”

Johnny has turned his art pieces surrounding the Virgin Mary into a series of inspirational note cards for all occasions  (www.VirginMaryNoteCards.com).

A native of Los Angeles and self-taught camera artist, Johnny has also taught Creative Photography for Personal Growth at The Village in Hollywood and is an art and photography instructor for CoachArt, a non-profit charity providing free lessons in the arts to kids with life-threatening illnesses.

All of Johnny’s work is available for purchase. He can be reached and his work can be viewed at  www.NicoloroPhotography.com