"Lar Landa’s paintings and sculptures are unabashedly based on the figure. The vivid images he creates are drawn from his extensive travels, childhood memories, Italian heritage, as well as reading and classical studies. His works reflects a lusty preoccupation with theatre, psychology, personal and folk symbolism. Incorporating the masks, postures, costumes and color of the Italian carnevale, the immediate feeling is celebratory. Beneath this vivid presentation however, a deeper and darker emphasis is often suggested.
There are enticing symbols and dichotomies to explore in this work. The Wolf, which is generally associated with menace and primal fear, often seems to serve as a protective spirit in Landa’s paintings. The shadowed and sober-looking “Signorinas” contrast with frankly assertive, earthy, sensual females in other paintings. Ambiguity is implied with expressive figures that incorporate the features of both genders. Now you see it, and now you don’t. Freud and Jung would certainly enjoy a heated debate on his work."
— William Torphy, curator |
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