 |
|---|
 |
|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Larry Richardson
larry-richardson@sbcglobal.net
www.aminaarts.com
Larry Richardson graduated from Oakland (California) High School with a full scholarship to California College of Arts & Crafts but he was unable to attend college as he needed to go to work to help support his family. However, it was during this time that he was introduced to the Berkeley art scene and began to align himself with the local artists. His fascination for the large abstract figurative works of Afro-American Artists at the time has influenced his work even until today. After military service in the Far East he was granted a partial scholarship to the California College of Arts & Crafts but interrupted his studies to be an activist in the civil rights movement of the time. Traveling throughout the South he concluded his work in the movement with the great march on Washington, honored to be present to hear the historical “I have a dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King.
On his return to California, Larry continued to paint and entered many juried competitions, winning awards and gaining a diverse group of avid collectors. In the late 1970’s he assumed the position of Deputy Director for an Arts resource center and was instrumental in providing grants for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Murals Project. After a successful tenure as arts administrator he returned full-time to painting concentrating more on creating large abstractions using pallet knives. In his more recent work he has returned to his first love - the figurative form, using applied textures and incorporating some abstraction, texts and mixed media.
Mostly self-taught Larry’s continues to develop his art with recent works including paintings depicting Blacks in Mediaeval Society.
“As an artist I have always wanted to express the beauty in our African heritage. My paintings are an extension of the classic form of figurative painting using people of color.
Most of my paintings make statements on culture and the human condition paralleling classic statements made by artists of the past such as Emilio Cruze (1938-2004) who said: “Art that fails to articulate a liturgical mission is a purely decorative form of entertainment, construed to please by deception.” It is a constant reminder that I have a strong commitment as an artist to my culture, to my beliefs, and my sovereign self my inner core that which makes us whole.
The process of my paintings starts with many drawings, often complete in composition, feeling and disposition. The form and placement of the figure depends on the composition. These drawings or studies are important in my work. Most of the paintings are acrylic on canvas however I will use mixed media on canvas as well as other materials, wood, mylar and various types of paper.
Most of my work is structured around the figurative form of the human body. My pallet of colors is more subdued not as strong and vibrant as some of the earlier works however what emerges is a pattern of color that is complementary to the composition. I still continue to explore the nude in figurative form and I am challenged by a new direction to introduce abstraction into the image and maintain an essential line of the figurative form.
Most literature on Black American Artist is approached as though it is a form of expression separate from the majority of art culture and galleries. This critical isolation in terms of art comes from classifying people and their culture by race. My objective is to heighten the awareness of those who view my art and stimulate thought and imagination.
The sovereign self is our inner core of creativity defining our uniqueness and what we hold and protect as sacred as individuals and creative artists.
The beauty and contributions of the African Diaspora are everywhere. My paintings emulate and expand on the events and the various conditions of life that face all mankind.”
EXHIBITIONS
2009 “Open Call Exhibition”, L.A. Municipal Art Gallery, Barnsdall Park, Los Angeles, CA
2005 “Human Figure Exhibition” Long Beach Arts Gallery, Long Beach, CA
2005 “Members Exhibition” Second City Council Gallery, Long Beach, CA
2003 “The Prevalence of Color & The Color of Dreams”, Delight Hamilton Gallery, Seattle, WA
2002 Bella Via Italian Street Festival, Valencia, CA
2002 “Dreams of Mystical Icons & the Human Figure, Zimart Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
 |
 |
|---|
* None of the artworks may be copied or reproduced without the written permission of the Artist