Who is Pacifico Silano?

Pacifico Silano is a Brooklyn-based artist whose work delves into the layered complexities of print culture and LGBTQ identity. Through his photography, Silano examines themes of intimacy, memory, and loss, often recontextualizing imagery from vintage gay magazines to create poignant, multilayered narratives.

He holds an MFA in Photography from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and has exhibited his work extensively in both solo and group shows. Notable exhibitions include the Bronx Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, Museo Universitario del Chopo in Mexico City, and the Musée de l’Elysée in Lausanne. His solo exhibitions have been hosted by esteemed venues such as Baxter ST@CCNY, The Bronx Museum of Arts, and The Houston Center for Photography.

Silano’s work has garnered critical acclaim, with reviews in The New Yorker, The Washington Post, and the Financial Times. His accolades include the Aaron Siskind Foundation Fellowship and the NYFA Fellowship in Photography. His works are held in the permanent collections of several prominent institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

In addition to Shadow Cast, Silano has authored I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine, published by Loose Joints in 2021, which was a finalist for the Aperture–Paris Photo Photobook Award. Through his evocative imagery and thoughtful exploration of identity, Silano continues to make an indelible mark on the art world.

In the realm of contemporary photography books, Shadow Cast by Pacifico Silano is a rare and provocative gem, a work that straddles the line between visual art and cultural commentary. Published as a limited edition of just 500 copies, this exquisitely crafted book invites collectors and connoisseurs alike to delve into a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Its rarity ensures that it commands attention, not just as an object of desire but as a piece of cultural history.

Silano’s work is a tribute to memory and identity, framed through the lens of LGBTQ+ history and aesthetics. Drawing on the visual vocabulary of the 1970s and 1980s, the book captures a sense of longing, sensuality, and intimacy that speaks to the era’s fleeting and fragile beauty. Each image feels like a fragment of a story—a moment captured and then softened by time. The pages themselves exude an aura of nostalgia, evoking the tactile pleasure of leafing through an archival treasure.

Thematically, Shadow Cast draws comparisons to the groundbreaking work of Tom of Finland, though Silano’s approach is less overtly erotic and more meditative. The book engages with the male form and gay themes, but it does so with a subtlety that invites introspection. It’s as much about what is not shown as what is—a testament to Silano’s ability to convey depth through restraint.

For collectors, Shadow Cast is a rare find—a limited edition that blends exclusivity with cultural and artistic significance. It’s not just a book but a statement, offering a thoughtful exploration of art and identity. Available through Loose Joints Publishing, it’s an experience that leaves a lasting impression, both for its visual storytelling and its quiet power.