The Scrapermaker
Born in Trinidad and Tobago and now based in Toronto, Canada, "scrapermaker" Adrian Luces has long nurtured a passion for architecture, striking cityscapes, and contemporary abstract art.
Adrian’s fascination with tall buildings began at the age of eight, when his parents took him to New York City for the first time. Standing in awe beneath the towering Empire State and Chrysler Buildings, he was captivated by the sheer scale and elegance of these architectural icons.
The inspiration for Adrian’s unique style emerged years later, while working on a television series shot inside one of Toronto’s office towers in the heart of the financial district. His first piece, titled Reflections, captures the play of light and image on glass-clad towers downtown. Only after the photograph was taken did Adrian discover a hidden self-portrait within the composition—a moment that marked the beginning of his signature approach.
His method is deeply layered and meticulously refined. “The process isn’t just about stacking images,” Adrian explains. “It’s experimental design. I can spend dozens of hours manipulating, combining, and refining to achieve the precise balance of texture, form, and feeling. A huge part of the artistry lies in knowing what to shoot, where, and how to capture the atmosphere of a city.”
Traveling the world to photograph its skylines and landmarks, Adrian infuses each piece with the spirit of the city it represents. The emotional impact of seeing his first piece printed on metal remains vivid: “I was overwhelmed. All those hours had transformed into something stunning. I knew I’d found my path.”
In 2024, Adrian was commissioned by the prestigious National Club of Toronto to create a work celebrating the Club’s 150th anniversary—an artistic milestone honouring one of Canada's historic institutions.
His SkiScapes collection, which captures the alpine energy of winter destinations, is represented by the Royal Street Gallery in Aspen, Colorado. The collection's debut piece, Aspen Portrait, sold for $5,000 USD.
To explore more of Adrian’s work in the visual and performing arts, visit adrianluces.com.
