About

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My work analyzes aesthetic tradition and the evolution of taste in art history. I create
drawings and paintings that serve as self-aware reflections on the state of western
heritage as it survives into the twenty-first century. This approach is not only an
introspective study of the past but a rejection of art that is soulless, formless, or devoid
of tangible themes. Figures and cityscapes are depicted to decipher the context and
purpose underlying them as dictated by their respective eras but also by how society
views them today. There is a valuable conceptual element that renders representation
crucial to my message. This historical, chronicle-like approach requires recognizable
subject matter because it most concisely communicates these narratives. Additionally, I
instantly tie myself to historical trends by painting and drawing representationally,
thereby tying my own chapter into a story that spans ages. It should be noted that my
work inspired by beacons of western art are not mere celebrations of said art; rather, my
output is a recognition of what is, what is allusive, and what has become. I most often
utilize oil paint for its versatility of style and application. Ink and paper are used for its
gripping precision and narrative vitality. I discern influence from a variety of historical
sources that offer themes relevant to the modern day. These include the American
Ashcan School, Neoclassicism, and Romanticism among others. The study of these
movements debates iconoclasm, retroactive deification, and the role of daily art in
sculpting daily life. This assortment of issues all derives from the overarching message
of reflecting on our shared past for context and self-discovery. I seek to challenge
assumptions about fine art through my figures and cityscapes, thereby searching for a
conversation that reaches across the generations.

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Tristan Roy is an Indianapolis-based artist who graduated with a double major in Art and
History from Lindsey Wilson University in 2024. He specializes in oil painting and ink drawing

and continues to produce independent and privately commissioned work as well
as regularly participate in local and regional shows.