Professor Love 2017

Camilla d’Errico mixed cuteness with something unsettling to conjure "Professor Love." Just imagine her in the studio, brushing layer upon layer of paint to construct this soft, fuzzy panda, with his business suit and tie decorated with love hearts. This panda has seen some stuff; he has an oceanic blue eye on one side and a blood-red eye on the other. D'Errico’s rendering of the panda's fur is what makes the painting, giving it texture and depth. Look at the way she creates highlights and shadows to convey the roundness of its face. It's a bit surreal, like a dream you can't quite shake off. D'Errico is playing with the legacy of figurative painting. She has a light touch, a playful sense of humor, and a deep respect for the traditions she's tweaking. It all makes you wonder, what kind of love does Professor Love teach?