Painterly calligraphy at Corridor Gallery
Communicating is the essence of our life. It is a skill that is constantly formed. We have to communicate to play different social roles,
to articulate what we think and what we see, to express see what we want and what we feel. We use a variety of signs and symbols for this. Coding and decoding individual or entire social groups messages is our whole life. Images of this series are created by a unique technique
of leaching. Different density of paint is applied each time, which in the process of drying, is partly rinsed. Just like in communication between people – what we say is not what we perceive.
Robert Lardus – HUMANOGRAPHY – the art of painterly calligraphy
The art of painterly calligraphy in the work of Robert Lardus is the drawing of a human being as an icon, symbol, sign. HUMANOGRAPHY refers to the art of calligraffiti. The artist does not use typical calligraphy, typography and graffiti – he creates new symbols based on a simplified drawing. The art of painterly calligraphy in HUMANOGRAPHY is not only a reference to writing, but also an abstract representation of complex social relations.
By using calligraffiti, the artist obtains a completely new, wider message. The form of the figures has been changed aesthetically – it goes beyond the literal meaning of a human drawing. The signs or their groups create complex visual compositions. The figures-symbols are bent, soft, as if made of clay. Each spot is a unit, a unique figure. Due to the consistency of the forms, the image acquires the features of an abstract symbolic combination. The drawing of figures is very individual – there seem to be no rules.
For Robert, the art of painterly calligraphy is an aesthetic and intellectual experience. It allows him to express himself in an unbridled way. It is definitely more than the traditional use of icons and signs – for an artist it is a way to create a completely new symbolism. Robert Lardus, although he is a conscious representative of the art of painting calligraphy, he breaks with the general rules. He allows himself to transform and deconstruct a man-letter in a very creative way. Robert does not limit himself to drawing figures – he manipulates color and textures.
The artist rarely uses a brush – he pours, softens and rinses the forms. By using characters from his own dictionary,he definitely goes beyond simple transformation. He creates rhythmic visual compositions. He creates a new language of symbols, changeable and open. The technique itself is characterized by contrasting combinations of colors and forms. Symbols become images and abstractions – this is an original feature of the art of painting calligraphy.
The multitude of elements creates coherent images that combine tradition with modernity. Drawing, due to the technique used by the artist, is precise but also full of spontaneity. A clearly defined subject and simplicity of composition characterize every work. The subject seems metaphorical to the recipient. The artist moves from single shapes to a larger created image – a wide, often open composition.
For Robert, the alphabet of human figures in HUMANOGRAPHY is the basis for converting an image into a completely new form. The composition is intended to evoke a specific reflection on the human condition in the recipient. It is a story about a man in a group, community, and interaction with others. It is the blurring of the individual in favor of the group. The art of painterly calligraphy by Lardus consists of multi-level, multi-layer structures showing the complexity of an individual’s life in a community.
