THOMAS PAUL RAGGIO

Thomas Paul Raggio holds a Four-Year Certificate from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and a MFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. Raggio has taught Color Theory, Visual Thinking, and currently Art Appreciation at Rutgers University. He has also lectured Abstract Expressionism, 19th-century American Art, and participated in many programs promoting the visual arts. Thomas has exhibited works nationally and internationally. His works are in private and public collections in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Australia.

I contemplate every color, mark, and placement of the line to formulate what I call rhythmic velocities: relationships of color and motion that give life to the composition, creating a heartbeat. I am interested in the duality of math and design: through repetition, a line made of color becomes a rhythmic pattern. This concept is found when composing music, organic landscapes and architectural structures. By referencing these sources, my abstractions transcend their formal components, reaching beyond a minimalist canon.

My work is composed of hard edges and thin lines set against an abstract field or a pictorial space. Each color has a quickness that is relative to the colors surrounding it; this gives my paintings visual movement and dislocates the viewer. Through linear and geometric forms, my paintings explore design and mathematical concepts found broadly throughout culture. They are improvised from a wide range of sources such as my conversations


Education
2011 M.F.A. Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University
2009 Four-Year Certificate, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
2007 Studio Residency for Studies in Fine Art, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, Australia

Publications/Articles
2018 PAFA and Roman: Expanding Education Through Art
2016 New American Paintings, Northeast, Issue #122
2013 Bonn Rundschau, “Lob Der Senkrechten”, Bonn, Germany
2008 Philadelphia Inquirer, Lively Time Line “Abstract Invitational”
2007 Exit Strategy catalogue, published on behalf of public and private donors in Queensland, Australia

Solo Exhibitions
2018 Thomas Paul Raggio, James Oliver Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Thomas Paul Raggio / David Meyer – Breakdown, James Oliver Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2013 Thomas Paul Raggio / Citibank, Morristown, NJ
2013 Thomas Paul Raggio, Dylan Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2012 Thomas Paul Raggio, Simon Gallery, Morristown, NJ

Selected Group Exhibitions
2018 The Curtis, Philadelphia, PA
2018 International Variety, James Oliver Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2016 JOG 10, James Oliver Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2016 Forces, James Oliver Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2015 5 to Watch: Exceptional Graduates From The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Avery Galleries, Bryn Mawr, PA
2013 Blind Date – Junge Positionen, Kunstgaleriebonn, Bonn, Germany
2011 Ghost in the Machine, curated by Stephen Westfall, Lennon, Weinberg, Inc., New York, NY
2011 NOWHERE, White Box Gallery (SoHo), New York, NY
2011 MFA Thesis Exhibition: Round 1, Mason Gross School of the Arts Gallery, New Brunswick, NJ
2011 The Brodsky Center for Innovative Editions Gallery at the Heldrich Hotel, New Brunswick, NJ
2011 CAA MFA Exhibition at Hunter Times Square Gallery, curated by Wendy White, New York, NY
2010 WLCM BCK, New Brunswick, NJ
2008 Abstract Invitational, Delaware County Community College, curated by Bill Scott, Media, PA
2007 Exit Strategy, Queensland College of Art, Brisbane, Australia
2007 67th Union League Gala, Union League, Philadelphia, PA
2006 Local Emerging American Artists, Philadelphia, PA

Awards / Honors
2010 Leon Golub Fond
2009 Cuff / Sammak award for Abstraction
2009 The Elena and Will Barnett award for geometry in abstraction
2007 Michael G. Capuzzi Jr. Endowment for outstanding achievement at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
2005 The Ruth and Wes Tanseer bond for excellence in the study of fine arts