Ruffo Romero

New York artist Ruffo Romero has spent more than two decades developing a body of work centered on identity, history, sexuality, resilience, and human connection. Based in Queens, where he grew up, Romero began painting at 18 and has continued to develop his practice alongside a longstanding career in the art world.

His experience working for more than 26 years in his family’s art handling company has given him a close understanding of how artworks are preserved, presented, and experienced. Combined with his studies in Gallery and Museum Studies, this perspective has shaped his appreciation for art as a carrier of memory, history, and cultural meaning.

Romero’s paintings draw from personal experience, LGBTQ+ history, historical research, and queer culture. Recurring symbols, words, figures, and references address visibility, marginalization, pride, intimacy, and the human need for acceptance.

While rooted in the gay experience, Romero’s work ultimately speaks to a broader human desire: to be seen, accepted, and loved.