Steven Cabral

Steven Cabral (b. 1978) is a Boston-based painter whose work has been shown throughout the Northeast. He holds a BFA in painting from Massachusetts College of Art and Design and an MFA from Lesley University College of Art and Design. He currently lives and works in Somerville, MA.

Steven’s work was featured in ‘Marking | Folding Time’ on view April 13-28, 2024.

“My paintings explore the interplay between order and chaos through geometric and organic forms, hard and soft edges, and experimentation with color, texture, and composition. I aim to represent the inner dialogue of the creative process—the chain reaction of thoughts and ideas that emerge through mark-making. Through thin and thick paint application, ambiguous shapes, and contrasts of light and dark, I seek to break visual conventions and clarify ambiguous painterly space. This pushes me to take creative risks that generate mystery, depth, and a sense of the mystical. By layering contemporary hues in unconventional palettes, I allow my past geometric abstractions to evolve into more fluid, undefined shapes. Combining the precision of geometric forms with biomorphic shapes leads me to construct aesthetics that challenge viewers’ expectations and promote unconventional engagement. Overall, my goal is to investigate the psychology of painting and represent the awareness that comes through an attentive process. I hope that viewers experience the interplay between order and chaos, logic and intuition, that fuels my own creative journey.”