Holly J. Salerno (b. 1995) is an American painter currently based in New York City. She holds a BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan.

Salerno’s work examines humankind’s quest for meaning, revealing the dysfunction and absurdity of these pursuits. She highlights how society clings to constructed systems and belief patterns, as well as the despair that arises when meaning eludes them. Through symbolism and autobiographical storytelling, she portrays the comical and tragic dynamics of the human condition. Her work explores the paradox of seeking certainty within an inherently uncertain and chaotic world.