David 'Lebo' Le Batard: The innovator of Postmodern Cartoon Expressionism
David Le Batard, also known as Lebo, is a Cuban-American graphic artist and the creator of the Postmodern Cartoon Expressionism era. His works of art gather stunning paintings, murals and sculptures.
Early life
Lebo was born in 1972 in New York to Cuban parents, being raised in South Florida. As a child, he was fascinated and inspired by comics and cartoons, from Egyptian hieroglyphics, iconography of Aztecs, Sumerians and Inca civilizations to the Saturday morning cartoons. When he was 13 his imagination and creativity flourished and he began to draw almost every night while listening music tapes.
In 1990 he won the Silver Knight Award for art in Broward County, Florida. After some time he became a judge at this competition. He studied at Florida International University which he graduated in 1995. During his studies he was lecturer in residence at the International Museum of Cartoon Art.
Inspiration sources
What's most interesting about Lebo's art is the fact that he has a big variety of inspiration sources. In my opinion this is where the true authenticity and uniqueness come from, being really hard to create art that was influenced by many themes. Artists in general have just a single source of inspiration, the nature, the music, or human beings. But Lebo finds inspiration in almost everything that is surrounding him. Mythology, history, metaphysics, music, astronomy, science, street art and many others fields, all of them you can find in Lebo's pieces of art.
The Postmodern Cartoon Expressionism is a mixture of cartoon imagery, line-based abstractions and bold flat color backgrounds which bring to surface powerful emotions and meanings.
"My aim in creating is to explore the purest, most spiritual elements of the arts and sciences (from astronomy to history, from music to physics) and to interpret them through the language of cartoons, giving them a unique and vibrant voice. After all, cartoons are a primordial form of expression that have always combined images in order to tell stories," said David.
By the power of art we unite
Over the years, Lebo collaborated with many famous companies for commercial art such as Adidas, Calvin Klein, Bacardi, Nestle, Red Bull, Google, Microsoft, Audi, Ferrari, Norwegian Cruise Line, Gibson Guitars and many others.
He also collaborated with various musicians, creating live art while they are performing and translating the music and emotions in paintings. He toured with bands and singers like Thievery Corporation, the Beastie Boys, Bela Fleck, Burning Spear, Disco Biscuits, Cuban band Conjunto Progresso and Arturo Sandoval.
David Le Batard worked, designed and painted aircraft exteriors, cruise ship hull artwork, stained glass and furniture. In 2008 he collaborated with an Italian tile manufacturer and designed the world's largest mosaic mural in Venice, Italy.
Where you can find his art
Lebo's works of art can be found at his showroom in Wynwood or his studio in Miami Beach.
You can find out more about him on his official webpage and you can buy his creations from his online shop.
Lebo Studios
2751 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33127, United States
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