Casey

Niccoli

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Casey Niccoli’s collages vibrate with a kaleidoscopic intensity, weaving together motifs of mysticism, Americana, and rebellious femininity. Best known for her iconic collaborations on the art and videos for Jane’s Addiction during the 1980s and 90s, Niccoli’s work channels the subversive ethos of that era into visually lush, dreamlike compositions. Her pieces pulse with layers of spiritual iconography and visceral pop imagery, seamlessly blending the sacred and the profane. Through her intricate juxtapositions, Niccoli crafts an evocative world that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant, embodying the raw energy of her creative roots.

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My art in the 80s/90s was deeply inspired by the art, film, and music that surrounded my life. The aesthetic of Jane's Addiction was heavily influenced by the religious bodegas—those little family-owned shops that sold magic potions, candles, and statues of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. The items were colorful and cheap, and I was drawn to how other Los Angeles bands like “X” used the crucifix and other religious imagery as a powerful visual that matched the intensity of their music.

For Jane's Addiction, that imagery worked in a similar way, elevating their music to a level of religious experience. Then I added a little David Lynch, a little John Waters, a little Bob Marley, and a lot of feminine energy. Perry was a fun partner for art because he was fearless in his approach and the art we created was very much a mixture of love, sex, and the divine.

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I've always been a collage artist, so when I found myself in a place where art fit back into my life, I just started making collages because it felt natural. They didn’t require expensive materials, and that made them easy to dive into. I began making collages for strangers and giving them away. I made small cards for friends, and then, little by little, I started building larger pieces and selling them online. I didn’t think being a collage artist would bring me much attention, since it’s not always seen as a respected art form. But for me, I just elevated it to another level, and the recognition followed. The entire process has been fulfilling because it’s been one of self-discovery and growth—I evolved as a woman as my art evolved in the real world.

I can’t explain why collage feels so divinely important, but it’s clear that I am meant to figure out my life one cut at a time. It’s a way of reclaiming control and finding clarity through the pieces I choose to place together, reflecting my inner world in a tangible form.

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California is my home. I currently split my time between the high desert in Twentynine Palms and Los Angeles. Lately, I've been staying away from LA due to the massive fires until the air quality improves, and I’ve been spending more time in Bakersfield, checking in on my elderly mom. I have art studios in different area codes!

The fires have impacted me greatly. I feel such a sense of loss and sadness. It’s been hard to focus on making art, as the fires have been a great distraction, but at the same time, I find peace in the creative process. I came up with an idea that I loved, so I created an art fundraiser that I am excited about and it has allowed me to create with more purpose than ever before. 100% of the profits support the California Wildlife Center and Pasadena Humane in their mission to aid animals impacted by the fires.

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The materials I favor are vintage magazines, with that creamy, burnt edge on every page. I love mixing the inks and colors of the past with vibrant neon poster boards, along with religious ephemera, nature, gothic architecture, UFOs, butterflies, animals, stars, and flowers. I am looking for my redemption story in all of my themes.

I never really know what the story is until it’s finished, but I do know that every story is, in some way, about me. I love layering images, usually starting in the center and building a frame around the focal point, my feminine, my awakening. I'm drawn to counterculture and finding ways to transform dark, unconventional subjects into something both beautiful and surreal.

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Casey Niccoli, an award-winning, self-taught American multimedia artist, grew up in 1960s Bakersfield, California, just a few doors down from country legend Buck Owens. Niccoli garnered acclaim for her visionary collaborations with the alternative rock band Jane’s Addiction, pushing artistic boundaries and redefining the visual landscape of rock music. Now residing in the majestic California desert, she focuses mainly on creating expressive fine art mixed-media collages, cherishing family moments, and writing her memoir, “Last Exit to the Strawberry Stars.”

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