Giovanni Forlino (b. 1984, Livingston, New Jersey) is a painter based in Brooklyn and London. His work blends traditional techniques with surreal, contemporary imagery—lush scenes of animals, plants, people and vivid natural forms often infused with a dreamlike or psychedelic edge.

He moved to Brooklyn at 17 to study at Pratt Institute, where he earned a BFA in Drawing. From 2008 to 2018, he worked closely with artist Max Gimblett as his studio manager, deepening his engagement with Zen painting and calligraphy.

Giovanni’s practice has evolved from ink drawings to fully realized paintings that explore color, nature, and imaginative transformation. His work has appeared in exhibitions across the U.S. and internationally, and is part of numerous private and public collections, including the Getty Museum and the Guggenheim.

He has collaborated with artists and writers such as John Yau, Lewis Hyde, Alan Loney, Matt Jones, and Max Gimblett, and contributed to publications including The Book of the Anonymous. Recent exhibitions include Soft Temple at Mother Gallery in Beacon, NY.

Giovanni paints out of his studios in Gowanus, Brooklyn, and London. You can find more of his recent work on Instagram @giovanniforlino