On May 30, 2013, Lazarus was selected by the ‘Blue Mountain Foundation For The Arts’ committee in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada to receive the honour of the ‘MURRAY J. CLERKSON ART AWARD’ Portrait of the Artist
Lazarus Ioannou: Artist:
New Collingwood resident and recently former Grey/Bruce and Toronto resident, artist Lazarus Ioannou’s passion is creating dream-like, textural paintings of Canada’s landscape.
In 2007, Lazarus was drawn to the rich artistic heritage rural Ontario had to offer, and uprooted his life in Toronto to replant his home to pursue pure creativity in Bruce Peninsula off Lake Huron. After a few years of inspiration from the escarpment rocks and forests of his new home, the call of the ‘Mountains’ and open waters of Georgian Triangle’s natural allure and cultural community led him to proudly call Collingwood his new home in 2012.
A creative soul since childhood, Laz’s portfolio grew after receiving several scholarships and awards from the Ontario College of Art & Design in the early Nineties- sparking a 15+ year career in Canada’s advertising industry as an Art Director/Associate Creative Director/Writer/Designer, garnering several industry awards over the years.
Now focusing on his roots as a solo visual artist, he works with brush and acrylic paint on wood and canvas to create a textural weave using an ‘earthy’ palette of colours that feature stylized visions of Canada’s landscape. Many are displayed in corporate and private collections across North America and Europe.
Laz’s recent debut of paintings in the Grey/Bruce art scene garnered him the 2008 “Visionary Award” at the Southampton Art Gallery and a spot in their school’s instructor roster. From 2009 to 2013, his paintings graced the streets of Owen Sound as part of the Art Banner beautification project. The historic Tom Thomson Art Gallery honoured him as well in 2011 by selecting his painting “Escarpment Road” as part of the 48th Annual ‘Convergence’ juried show. Bruce County Museum acquired his painting “Northern Souls” in 2012 to be added to the County’s permanent municipal collection. His work will also join Collingwood’s 2013 Art On The Street juried Banner display, and will be a part of BMFA’s 2013 juried Studio Tour. His painting “Great Lake Spring” was selected for the Meaford Hall Juried Art Exhibition in May 2013.
On May 30, 2013, Lazarus was selected by the ‘Blue Mountain Foundation For The Arts’ committee in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada to receive the honour of the ‘MURRAY J. CLERKSON ART AWARD’ for his body of work and commitment to creativity in the community: “The prestigious Clerkson Award has been created by bequest to the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts by the late Mr. Clerkson, and is intended to celebrate the accomplishment of an outstanding, local, emerging visual artist who demonstrates potential for significant contribution to the arts. It is given to an individual who has shown courage and determination in becoming an artist…. and possesses a body of work that indicates strength, purpose and commitment.” B.M.F.A. 2013
In the summer of 2014, Lazarus was honoured to be voted to represent Collingwood at the world’s largest live competitive painting event ‘Art Battle National Championship’
All accolades provide inspiration for his growth as an artist and exploration of the energy of our nation’s landscape.
His work is currently represented by Matilda Swanson Gallery in Clarksburg, Ontario, and worldwide through his website www.lazarusi.me .
All images and content shown are copyrighted (©2007-2015 L.Ioannou) by the artist and may not be reproduced without permission. All artwork is available for international purchase unless otherwise indicated.
CONTACT Artist Lazarus Ioannou:
Email lazarusi@sympatico.ca for commissions or inquiries.
Lazarus Ioannou, June 2008
LAZARUSI STUDIOS 
Great work. Particularly like the Oliphorest pieces…very evocative. All the best for the future.
Regards
David Boardman
England.
Hi David B.,
thank you for the nice words. I’m continuing with the ‘Oliphorest’ series for now and it sounds like it’s striking a chord with people.
Peace, Laz
Larry,
Nice work. Congrats on the award.
I like the Bee box.
Keith
Toronto
Stunning artwork!
A bold approach to colour and technique invites us to reassess nature and the world around us.
Truly deserving of the visionary award.
Amazing Larry! Your pieces are all just brilliant and I certainly agree that you are truly deserving of the visionary award (love all the tree pieces).
What a lovely location you’ve chosen to work from / live in!
Congratulations,
🙂 Allison
I found this blog quite by chance in assessing Word Press and I must say that your work is stunning. Somehow you have taken the organic elements of your surroundings and made them even more universal and approachable. Recollecting the very beauty they reference simply and precisely. What lovely work.
I was astounded at the uniqueness and maturity of the images you’ve presented. Quite simply, breathtaking. I plan to visit your studio and hope to own one of these intricate imaginings of nature, before they hit the auctioning halls(!). Please do keep in touch and let me know of any new creations.
Sincerely, Mr.T.T. (you have my email, yes?),
NYC
Larry – WOW. Your work is stunning. It was great to get back in touch with you. What a pleasure to see what you’ve been up to. Next time I’m in the neighbourhood, I’d love to stop by and make a purchase. Your stuff is so fresh and organic…I’m floored.
Best,
Greg
Lazarus. I love your style- so much rich texture and yet, so simple, as in clean and to the point. Restful to the mind, as trees are… Met you in Hanover. Hope to drop in before the summer ends, to check out your studio and projects. Thanks for a chance to view your work.
Warm regards,
Kristina
Fantastic work, I love your style and particularly love the oliphorest series!
Fantastic work Larry!
While looking around in a random sort of way, I found your website. Yours is some of the loveliest work that I have seen in a while. I especially like the winter pieces. I hope that you portfolio continues to grow, and thank you so much for putting them online where they can be enjoyed by random travelers like myself.
Kind regards from Tennessee
Lex
I found your site via explorethebruce twitter. What a great and original take on the beautiful Bruce!
I was born in Wiarton years ago but have lived in London, England for many years. But the Peninsula will always be a special place. Your artwork is much appreciated.
I came to your work via April Debois-Patry’s site (she’s also a friend) and I was so moved by your work. It felt enchanted and rooted and very powerful. Thank you for putting it into the world. I’d love to come by and see your work sometime, I’ll email you to find your studio…(I’m an artist too, just north of Lion’s Head)
I saw your work hanging on the walls of The Espresso Post in Collingwood, and absolutely loved it!
Thanks ‘Librarypunk’, I’m glad you loved the work! If you’d like to see more of my paintings, you’re invited to visit the Tremont Studios 2nd floor, just down the street. Enjoy!