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Artist Lawaetz Experiments with Digital

Roy Lawaetz assimilate his iPad into his one of his original 'modular triangular' paintings.St. Croix’s internationally-acclaimed artist, Roy Lawaetz, who is known for his “Modular Triangular System,” has begun incorporating technology into his art. In his new approach, Lawaetz uses Apple’s iPad to create digital art, with the hope that he can ultimately assimilate it into one of his paintings.

“It all started with the rectangle, but I’ve have used the triangle as my primary medium, but with the iPad I might be able to fuse the rectangle back into my art,” he said.

The “Modular Triangular System” is a departure from the traditional “window” or rectangle aesthetic, in which paintings take the familiar shape of a rectangle. Lawaetz got his primary point for inspiration from the triangle-shaped Zemi cult stones of the lost Taino Indians from the Caribbean. Growing up in St. Croix, Lawaetz was enthralled with his early exposure to these Pre-Columbian stones.

After studying in New York City under the guidance of Victor Candell, and professor Richard Mortensen in Copenhagen, Denmark, Lawaetz decided to create an art form completely separate from the rectangle and moved toward incorporating dozens of uniquely-shaped paintings combined with multiple triangles.

His art is both distinctive and influential, resonating deep Caribbean themes throughout. From Moko Jumbies to the horrors of the Triangle Trade, Lawaetz’s art can sometimes push the boundaries of emotion. However, he seems to contrast this with his vivid use of colors, causing each piece to have a lasting, hopeful effect.

The triangles in combination have received international success and Lawaetz has received many awards for his artwork. His biggest moment, he says, was being selected as the first V.I. artist in the International Bienal de Sao Paulo in 1996. Shortly after, he received the V.I. Government Gold Medal of Art Excellence in St. Croix. In 2001, he was awarded “National Book Award” from Writer’s Digest for his book “The Modular Triangular System,” a book displaying his works and his theory behind his works. That year he also received the V.I. Government Art Trophy Award.

A digital piece of art done by Lawaetz on his iPad, 'Coconut Plantation.'Most recently, at the 2007 Florence Biennale, he was awarded a Lorenzo Il Magnifico Premio for his exhibition Biennale Beyond the Walls, and the following year he was featured in the international literary anthology “Caribbean Writer.”

Lawaetz said he is heavily influenced by the Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky, but he finds inspiration everywhere, primarily from his own Zemi stone which is displayed prominently in his studio. His wife Marianne said he is the most disciplined person she’s ever known.

“When I first met him, I was amazed that he would get up every morning and go out to the studio where he would start painting. He still does that,” she said with awe.

Although he is trying to slowly incorporate the rectangle back into his art, Lawaetz made it clear that he will never give up his triangles. He is merely trying to bring in a rectangle through a new digital medium.

When asked why he continues to paint, Lawaetz smiled and said “At this point, I’m almost 70, I’ve gotta stick with it, don’t you think?”

In addition to New York, Lawaetz has exhibited throughout the Caribbean, Ecuador, Holland, Germany, Sweden, France, Denmark, Italy, Belgium, Spain and Brazil. Lawaetz was recently invited to exhibit his works with the OpenArtCode Group this October in Monaco at the Prince Rainier 111 Auditorium, and with the same group at the Salon des Independants, Grand Palais, Paris, France, in November.

More art by Lawaetz and further information on his “Modular Triangular System” can be fond on website, www.roylawaetz.com.

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