The Daily Bulletin Archive

The exhibition Craig LaRotonda: Divine Messengers, a visual record of artist Craig LaRotonda’s conceptual thoughts, philosophic views, memories, and dreams, is currently on view in the Burchfield Penney Art Center at Buffalo State through Sunday, January 28, 2018.

In conjunction with the exhibition, Craig LaRotonda: Origin, a representation of personal objects from LaRotonda’s home and studio—a lamp, books, dolls, molds used in his creative process, and collected artworks—is showcased in the Czurles-Nelson Gallery in Upton Hall now through September 28. Origins allows viewers to explore LaRotonda’s world through a different lens, seeing what informs his work and what he cherishes in his private space.

A reception and artist gallery talk will take place Tuesday, September 26, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Czurles-Nelson Gallery.

LaRotonda’s figurative works combine fantasy with dark elements of surrealism. His mysterious genre of artistry comes to life using a variety of mediums—oil, acrylic, gold leaf, wood, paper, wax, and found objects—to create paintings and sculptures that are richly layered and enchanted.

“Everybody makes autobiographical work,” said LaRotonda when defining a visual record. “Whether creating a portrait of a person, tree, or a robot, I’m creating it through my lens; everything is a self-portrait or record of consciousness. I’m not necessarily trying to dictate something very specific. Only afterwards I might glean what the real essence of the piece was for. I’m not setting about to always create something that has some strong message to it but a reflection of some subconscious things. The creations themselves tell a story over time.”    

The Czurles-Nelson Gallery is a teaching space open Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Private showings can be scheduled by appointment. More information is available on the gallery’s website.