Unconditional Portrait of Lamond R. McNeil by Laura Orfanelli

From the artist Laura Orfanelli: “Unconditional” is a portrait of Lamond R. McNeil. It’s said that the color pink symbolizes unconditional love, understanding, and the giving and receiving of nurturing. Pink was Lamond’s favorite color because it was his mom’s favorite color. The pink in this piece represents the nurturing and unconditional love they had for each other.

From the curator: Laura’s use of pink becomes even more powerful after reading of her reasons for choosing it for the striking background to young Lamond’s smiling face. As if the charming face, teeth and glasses he seems to need to grow into weren’t compelling enough, the vibrant background forcefully draws viewers to this work. Lamond was not this small boy depicted when he was shot and killed. This was a decision by the artist to focus on a particular moment in his life. It is sobering to realize this beloved boy did grow into his glasses and teeth and was a grown man when his life was needlessly taken.

Unconditional Portrait of Lamond R. McNeil by Laura Orfanelli acrylic on stretched canvas 24” x 18” 2019