Artist Constructs Surreal Futuristic Realms Showcasing a Solitary Astronaut
“The Red House,” 2024
More than twenty years ago, in 1999, Scott Listfield experienced Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey for the first time, nestled in his compact studio apartment in Boston. Prior to that, he had spent two years living, studying, and traveling internationally, never fully discovering a sense of belonging. Yet, the film ignited something within Listfield, leading him to embrace painting as a means to express his encounters with adventure, solitude, and wonder. It didn’t take long for him to determine who the central character in his creations would be.
“[When] I watched 2001, everything clicked into place,” Listfield shares with My Modern Met. “I’d utilize the astronauts from the fictional 21st century, placing them in the actual 21st century.”
Currently, Listfield is recognized for his surreal portrayals of astronauts traversing desolate yet striking landscapes. In Listfield’s imaginative universe, astronauts navigate through hollowed-out apartment complexes; excessively large moons hover in the overhead sky; unusual, technicolor clouds drift by; and dramatic monoliths hint at the collapse of civilization. Although the backdrops may vary throughout his artwork, Listfield ensures consistency; after all, his astronaut is featured in every single one of his creations.
“The astronaut [is] a guide, a representative for the viewer, and a reminder that regardless of how dire things may appear, how dystopian, how far into the future I venture, there remains a human presence,” the artist articulates. “The astronaut embodies everything that the future could or should represent, as well as everything it is not.”
Indeed, even within his most peculiar and disquieting compositions, Listfield’s astronaut serves as an enduring sign of humanity. In Monolith, for example, an astronaut surveys an expansive desert, with the remnants of a city visible in the distance. In front of him lies an abandoned McDonald’s, a herd of bison, and a colossal rock etched with a mysterious message. This is a realm of emptiness and abandonment, where even a brand as prominent as McDonald’s and a metropolis filled with skyscrapers have been unable to sustain life. Nevertheless, wildlife exists, the desert exudes tranquility, and the horizon promises hope.
It’s evident that optimism and hope about the future anchor Listfield’s creations, even if they may appear outwardly grim. His paintings could also serve as cautionary tales, particularly in light of our fraught reality.
“We possess electric devices in our pockets that contain all the world’s information. Robots are delivering food and driving cabs. Billionaires are launching rockets. People believe AI is a wise choice. Climate scientists are alerting us to impending disasters, and we are complacently disregarding them,” Listfield remarks. “All that’s left is an alien invasion, and this is the introductory scene of every science fiction film ever made.”
Nonetheless, Listfield doesn’t create art to amplify feelings of despair. Instead, his work invites a reconsideration of our present situation.
“I create paintings regarding these themes partially because we can still alter the future,” he clarifies. “I mean, as long as we’re still in that first act.”
To explore further about his art and practice, visit Scott Listfield’s website.
For over twenty years, Scott Listfield has depicted desolate, imaginative scenes of the future inhabited by a singular astronaut.
“Monolith,” 2024.
“Second Hand,” 2022.
“Elysian,” 2021.
“We Who Remain,” 2024.
“Lost Highway,” 2022.
Listfield was initially drawn to astronauts as symbols of solitude, exploration, and yearning after watching 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1999.
“Pink and Purple Evening,” 2023.
“Stegosaurus,” 2022.
“Oculus,” 2024.
“Moonfall,” 2024.
Now, the Los Angeles-based artist has gained recognition for the surreal realms he creates throughout his works.
“Old Man of the Mountain,” 2024.
“Head in the Clouds,” 2023.
“Golden Gate,” 2025.
“The Equinox,” 2023.
“Cybertruck on Fire,” 2025.
Scott Listfield: [Website](https://www.astronautdinosaur.com/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/scottlistfield)
My Modern Met has granted permission to showcase photos by Scott Listfield.
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