Laurence Friedlander

Paints clearly in a world gone preposterous and blind. Started painting after becoming myself. My view is often, but not always, one of jaded detachment. Born of systemic exclusion. Add some intersectional alienation within a stratified global tribe. So that my works can show a personal narrative, within a conceptual analysis. My thanks to thousands of viewers.

Bachelor of Arts, with Honours, University of Warwick, England on full and necessary scholarship. When there were 2,700 highly selected undergraduates only (148 IQ and up plus plenty of character), unlike the dumbed down, ever so intersected 33,000 of today. I was lectured on critical thinking, the how, on Day 1. Not done in inclusive now. An upset to UK social order? Subsequently Adversity in UK, a better teacher. My adversity included "social slapping", institutional sneering, downgrading of my cultural capital to put me in my place, etc.. Which precluded me taking an offer of a PhD. course on full and necessary scholarship at UCLA & Quality Learing Center, USA. Unlike some I could never afford to buy a narrative. I was visiting Los Angeles for funeral of a friend. I did like the climate and ambience there (though they couldn't credit my political nous), better than cold and wet Boston or NYC. But I now realise, Adversity in UK had successfully internalised their verdict inside of me. Look what they did to me (The Betrayed, The Path of Awareness, etc.), and others. "Education" round here is peopled by mediocrities who have played identity cards and encourage others to do so. Like Eric Hoffer, Jack Vettriano and others, typify...

Yes, twice. Heard: "Interesting" (Curator feedback). "Like Otto Dix" (technique or controversial? I wondered). "Have you ever thought of teaching Art?" (projection?), "reminds me of", "funny", "I like how you've done the shadows", "those steps, that's really difficult", "that tree", etc. "I used to be a boxer" (after viewing his muse, my painting: How Did you Die? his boxing life-story followed). "There's nobody smiling" [???], "I wouldn't have that in my house", (I surmised that was because she couldn't afford my price), among other compliments, including "brilliant", (projection?). One lady asked to touch surface of a painting and became, so it appeared, transfigured (more projection, herself onto my canvas?). City Girl, a 2025 painting, very well favoured to me by numerous female viewers when I was in attendance at exhibits. (PS: when I use the word projection it is as far as I comprehend, which might not be totally correct, British, distinct from USA, Psychological meaning).