The Next Generation - Marco Tomassini a.k.a Lons

Unfiltered and Fearless

If the work of Italian spray paint artist, Marco Tomassini a.k.a Lons, seems to you like an active spout where ideas flow forth unfiltered and unfettered, you would be absolutely right. Working as a graphic designer by day and a clever, bold, stencil and graffiti virtuoso by night, Tomassini understands the medium of spray paint better than most. Like a can of aerosol paint itself, Tomassini’s artistic voice springs forth in bright bursts from the inside of where it’s contained and restricted. While Lons’ work contains the edge and potency of traditional graffiti, the pieces most exude the freedom to leave questions unanswered and statements unexplained that the craft is so appreciated for. The artist’s work might be a personal outlet for expression and self-representation, but the excitement, cheekiness, and fearlessness of Lons’ artistic voice is uncontrollable once released.

Part One: Who is Marco Tomassini a.k.a Lons?

Question #1: Who are you?

Ciao, my name is Marco and from 9am to 5am, Monday to Friday, I’m a graphic designer and art director based in Italy. Passionate about music, art, soccer and food. (So Italian). Things that I share with my alter ego Lons, are the graffiti and more artistic part of me.

Question #2: Who are you as an artist?

As an artist, I renamed myself “Lons” and I started painting around 2000 approaching graffiti culture at its purest way. In 2013, during a 4 years experience in London, influenced by the londoner graffiti and street art movement I tried to explore new medias and techniques while keeping true to the spirit of graffiti. I’m heavily influenced by pop art, street art, and hip hop culture and my work embrace fine details of hand-cut stencils, rawness of spray paints and bold catchy colours.

Question #3: Why do you need art your life?

When I was young it was a way to “say something” even if graffiti are meaningless for most of the people. Now I think it’s my way to compensate my 9 to 5 life where I usually have rules to follow and other people ideas to represent.

Question #4: Is your artwork for yourself or for others?

It’s the visual representation of what I think, what I like and what I would like to say

Question #5: What do you think about while creating?

I listen to music and I usually talk by myself

Part Two: Self-Representation

How would you describe your work and practice?

My work is usually the representation of my thoughts or a mix of the things that I like and in a way represents me.

*Posh Revolution* – 2021 / 3 hand-cut stencils, spray paint on canvas. 50x70cm.
I usually leave it open, I think different people will give different explanations and that’s what I like in my artworks. Their background and experiences will lead them to the right message for them.

*About Love* – 2020 / 5 hand-cut stencils, spray paint on 300g fine art paper. 50x70cm.
“The power of love”, “love will tear us apart” or “Love is a losing game” ? Up to you.

*Revolution Soup* – 2021 / 6 hand-cut stencils, spray paint on 300g fine art paper. 50x70cm.

Untitled and work in progress. Spray paint and acrylics on canvas – 100x80cm
A different take on graffiti, definitely stuck with these ones. But I like them.

*Born to be wild* – 2021 / 3 hand-cut stencils, spray paint on canvas. 50x70cm.
Is it the man that exploits animals or are we the animals stuck in fancy suits? I’ve sold this to a lawyer which is quite funny to me. 🙂

Where/ How can Vacant Museum viewers see more of your work and where can they purchase it?

You can visit http://www.artbylons.com or my instagram @artbylons. I will attend Vernice Art Fair (Forlì, Italy) in September 2021, a big contemporary fair with independent artists.