Since we have three amazing artists gracing the gallery this September at Stranger Factory, we thought we would introduce them one by one.
He may have a pedigree of clients that will make your eyes bug out, but his work makes us drool and that is why we are excited for Craig LaRotonda’s “A Consortium of Lost Souls“. His work in 2D and 3D is a rampantly exhilarating foray into the distressed and distorted oddity world we do love. This world of sculpts containing creepy human-derived flotsam and jetsam and paintings of the uncommon mold make our cracked hearts go pitter patter.
Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Craig LaRotonda received his BFA in 1992at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he studied with the internationally renowned illustrator Alan Cober. Currently working as a professional painter, illustrator, and sculptor, Craig divides his time between each endeavor.
LaRotonda’s richly layered paintings are provocative; his signature iconic
style is reminiscent of Renaissance and Byzantine art while remaining boldly contemporary. His work possesses a dark narrative and grotesque elegance.
These distorted creatures are captured in a timeless space — surviving the brutality and beauty of existence. Craig’s ability to make deformities and oddities become aesthetically magnificent is what makes his art so unique.
His paintings and sculptures incorporate mixed media and aging techniques, ultimately creating surreal figurative works. LaRotonda’s artwork graces the walls of famous homes including collectors in France, Germany, Norway, Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
Through his relationship with Film Art LA, his acclaimed art appears
prominently in television and five feature-length motion pictures – including
the Academy Award winning film “Traffic” directed by Steven Soderbergh,
and “The Other Guys” with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.
LaRotonda’s striking and unique art has been featured in Time Magazine,
The Washington Post, The Village Voice, Juxtapoz, The New York Times and
numerous other publications. This commercial work has received awards from
the Society of Illustrators (in New York and Los Angeles), Communication Arts
and Print Magazine.
Exhibitions include solo shows in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, and Paris. Craig also exhibits regularly in group shows nationally and abroad.
A few examples:
We can’t leave without showing a piece in progress for September’s show can we?
The opening reception for Craig LaRotonda’s “A Consortium of Lost Souls” along with Amy Earles and Kevin Titzer is is Friday, September 4th from 6 – 9 pm at Stranger Factory.
Stranger Factory
3411 Central Avenue NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-508-3049
