Is Wayne Thiebaud’s work trite and shallow? At first glance, a New York Art critic may imply this, but upon further inspection, the academic artist draws the viewer in like a chocolate lover floating Into a Leysieffer shop in Berlin, soon to reveal a “Pet Sounds” like complexity of layers, soul and intensity. It can be said that his confectionary works are what he’s about but figurative characters tell another story, one of loneliness, desperation and a need to flee the urban landscape. This is the human embodiment that draws us in deeper to what Wayne Thiebaud is about, soul crushing characters juxtaposed with a colorful, rich, lollipop.
When viewed in a well curated solo museum show, one can only leave with a sense of gratificatio, satisfaction and wanting seconds.