Born in Oakland and refined by Paris, my art lives at the intersection of emotion and color. Drawing from the raw urgency of Basquiat.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
My work lives at the intersection of instinct and intention—where raw emotion meets deliberate composition. As a San Francisco–based painter and photographer, I create pieces that feel immediate, almost confrontational, yet layered with story on closer inspection. Each work is an attempt to capture not just how something looks, but how it feels to exist inside it.
Where do you find inspiration?My inspiration comes from the spaces where beauty and contradiction collide. I’m drawn to the raw, unfiltered moments most people overlook—the glance that lingers too long, the tension in a body mid-conversation, the quiet chaos of a city breathing around you. Living and creating in San Francisco, I’m constantly surrounded by contrast: grit and elegance, movement and stillness, intimacy and anonymity. That duality fuels everything I make. I find inspiration in people first.
What would you do with $25,000?Pay off my debts and invest in art supplies. Caring for my six-year-old son, Enzo Alexander Basquiat, is the most important role I have. He’s curious, bright, and full of life, and being present for him—guiding him, protecting him, and helping him grow—means everything to me.
Vote for Shane Killian to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Register now for your opportunity to appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display your artwork at The Art of Elysium's Salon.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
