Michael Roman
1956-2017
Born and raised in greater Los Angeles, Roman moved to New York’s lower east side in the mid-70’s. There, he received a great deal of inspiration to what would become his life’s work of stencil/screen art, combining Warhol techniques with old-Mexico methods and ancient images, which has become known as “Latinissmo”.
Roman’s textile art, known for its all over coverage and handmade appearance brings life to stencils and images. Roman’s clients have included Keith Richards, and Madonna, whom he did the dancing cats and skeletons on hat boxes and van murals for her film, “Desperately Seeking Susan.” She had seen his work and “gave me a good jump start for my business,” he has said. A Bob Marely album cover would follow soon after.
Carlos Santana discovered Roman in the mid-90’s, and he subsequently moved to the Bay Area and created artwork, clothing, an album cover, and even furniture for the superstar.
Michael Roman is a printmaker at heart, with emphasis on stencils, silk screens, cut-outs, spray stencils on fabrics, wood, banners, stage designs, and clothing, heavily influenced by the indigenous peoples of the Americas Africa.