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Leandro Comrie Pepín
a.k.a malandro
My subject matter is broad, inclusive, and unapologetic. I paint about heartbreak, love, death, friendship, lust, kindness, all mixed-in and coexisting in the midst of my paintings. Culture identity, sexuality, class and spirituality have also found a space in my subject matter.
The human body serves as a metaphor to denote aspects of the human condition. Enlarging or minimizing hands, feet and fingers are metaphors to judgment or self-edification; teeth become a symbol of love or fear. Penises become a sign of violence or lust and vulvas an ode to life. Mask-like faces are a symbolism for hypocrisy, or belittlement.
My work is both simple and complex. Within that simplicity there are layers of complexity that aim to engage the viewer in an honest dialogue to find a sense of redemption and higher consciousness.