bio/statement
b. 1994. phoenix, arizona.
founder and director of belhaus.
deriving from an affinity for minimalism and abstraction, belassen echoes a process he refers to as subtle over sound. this self-coined concept references the intensive and chaotic underpainting process inherent in his work, while subsequently hinting at his desire to subtly communicate a story, thought, or feeling. deceptive in their simplicity, his paintings convey depths of meaning through abstract subject(s) paired with playfully handwritten words, either painted on or scratched-through a fast-drying acrylic surface. highly textured, deeply personal, and physically demanding, his work reflects the duality of the human condition, marking moments in his life that only he can fully comprehend.
the thru-line connecting his bodies of work: his handwriting.
in 2020, the “essentials” lists were born. what originally began as text-based, oil pastel works on paper literally listing out items “necessary” to quarantine, quickly evolved into something more than that. realizing the storytelling potential of a string of cleverly crafted words — whether promiscuous, tongue-in-cheek, “normal”, in french, struck-thru, or just seemingly nonsensical — belassen found his voice, while still leaving room for mystery. decode the lists, and you’ll discover inside jokes, double-entendres, and deeper meanings in a series that presents as poetic as it does artful, as curated as it does a random train of thought.
his original paintings, and works on paper, are in private collections across the united states, mexico, europe, the united kingdom, asia, and australia.
gallery representation
ann connelly. baton rouge, louisiana
belhaus. phoenix, arizona
selected press
2026 scout guide. phoenix, az
2024 phoenix magazine. studio series
2023 az foothills, postino wine cult releases specialty wine box
2021 arizona republic, say hello to bones
2020 soccerbible, bones fc discuss preston paperboy collab
2019 java magazine, cover of november edition
2019 featured in southwest style magazine
2018 saatchi art, artists that echo keith haring
2018 phoenix new times, new gallery coming to grand avenue
2018 eventbrite, find emerging artists...at this unusual art fair
2018 saatchi art, the visual communication of gino belassen
2018 saatchi art, spring catalog: 9 emerging artists to buy now
2018 saatchi art, art we love / original art for valentines day
2017 billboard, nghtmre + dillon francis release bass beats on another dimension
2017 dancing astronaut, nghtmre dives into hip-hop
2017 billboard dance, nghtmre no coming down release
2017 saatchi art, the other art fair london – private view project
special projects
2023 postino wine cult. nevermind, rosé!
2019 nghtmre x grabbitz, bruises artwork
2017 nghtmre part ii album artwork
2017 the other art fair, private view project
exhibitions
16 may 2025
rumble strips. belhaus
phoenix, arizona
1-31 december 2023
essentials*. belhaus, solo show.
phoenix, arizona
7 october 2023
bad optics. belhaus, group show
phoenix, arizona
29 july 2023
baruch bazaar. rhett baruch gallery, group show.
los angeles, california
7 january – 27 february 2023
fragile!! set in stone (01-04). aftermarket
phoenix, arizona
18-21 november 2021
football crazy, football mad. hoxton arches
london, england
7 february – 5 april 2020
the after-afterparty. framed ewe, solo show.
los angeles, california
6-28 december 2019
tiny works v. {9} the gallery, group show.
phoenix, arizona
6-22 december 2019
bad neighborhood. belhaus, group show.
phoenix, arizona
13 september – 13 october
the after-afterparty. shortcut gallery, solo show.
phoenix, arizona
28-31 march 2019
the other art fair. magic box at the reef.
downtown los angeles, california
15-18 february 2019
modernism palm springs x bruce lurie gallery.
palm springs convention center
23-27 january 2019
la art show x bruce lurie gallery.
los angeles convention center
25-28 october 2018
the other art fair. barker hangar.
santa monica, california
28 april 2018
skin + bone. de plume gallery.
los angeles, california
15-18 march 2018
the other art fair. the majestic theatre.
downtown los angeles, california
5-8 october 2017
the other art fair. the old truman brewery.
london, england
4-7 may 2017
the other art fair. the facility.
melbourne, australia
18 may 2016
mysterio the show. guggenheim gallery, solo show.
orange, california
28 february 2015
double vision. elizabeth gordon gallery, two-person show.
santa barbara, california