Paul Rousso — Pop Art Sculptor and Inventor of “Flat Depth”

Paul Rousso (b. 1958, Charlotte, North Carolina) is an internationally recognized American visual artist celebrated for his boundary-pushing fusion of Pop Art, sculptural innovation, and contemporary conceptual practice. A graduate of the California College of the Arts, Rousso has gained global acclaim for his monumental three-dimensional wall sculptures that transform everyday printed ephemera (currency, candy wrappers, newspapers, magazines) into hyperreal, immersive objects of wonder. His work is anchored by his signature concept of “Flat Depth,” a term he coined to describe his mission to collapse and expand dimensionality: rendering flat artifacts three-dimensional and sculptural objects deceptively flat.

Rousso’s process is technically rigorous and conceptually elegant. Each piece begins with high-resolution scanning and digital retouching, followed by large-format vinyl printing, heat-infused plexiglass manipulation, sculpting, welding, and blow-torch finishing. The result is a remarkable transformation of disposable cultural materials into glossy, oversized icons that feel both nostalgic and sharply contemporary. His work invites viewers to reconsider value, memory, consumerism, and the fleeting physical artifacts of print culture.

Rousso’s early career was equally eclectic and formative. He designed Robert De Niro’s Tribeca loft, worked as a Hollywood scenic artist, and served as an art director in the advertising world, including at Grey Advertising, where he contributed to major campaigns for Revlon. These influences – cinema, fashion, commercial design and architecture, continue to infuse his work with sophistication, cultural awareness, and a Pop-inflected sense of irony.

Paul Rousso has exhibited extensively in galleries, art fairs, and public institutions across the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond. His sculptures are held in notable private collections worldwide, including those of the Royal Family of Saudi Arabia, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Steve Carell, and Paul Feig. 

Rousso’s work occupies a dynamic intersection of Pop Art history, cutting-edge fabrication, and conceptual commentary. Collectors are drawn to his ability to elevate familiar materials–money, packaging, cultural debris–into monumental, museum-quality works that are instantly recognizable and relatable. His sculptures stand out as statement pieces, both playful and intellectually rich, and continue to appreciate in visibility and demand as print culture becomes increasingly rare.

Explore Paul Rousso at DTR Modern Galleries

DTR Modern Galleries proudly represents Paul Rousso, showcasing his commanding “Flat Depth” sculptures across our locations in New York, Boston, Palm Beach, and Washington, D.C. Collectors can explore an exceptional selection of his wall-mounted works.