Southern California-based artist John Sonsini and Laguna Art Museum’s Curatorial Fellow Rochelle Steiner will be in conversation about the work of artist Francis de Erdely, the subject of the museum’s major exhibition Striking Figures: Francis de Erdely.

Like de Erdely, Sonsini is known for his portraits of men, typically people unknown to him, selected based on the personas they convey. Well-versed in the traditions of portrait painting, Sonsini will explore de Erdely’s approach to the figure and the Los Angeles influence on his work from de Erdely’s arrival in Southern California in 1944 until his death in 1959.

Steiner and Sonsini have selected two of Sonsini’s artworks to present at the museum in a special installation, illustrating some of similarities between his and de Erdely’s approach to portraiture, paint-handling, and subject matter, creating a contemporary response to de Erdely’s approach to Expressionism.

Born in Rome, New York, Sonsini currently lives and works in Los Angeles, Riverside County, and Queretaro, Mexico. He has upcoming exhibitions of his drawings and paintings at Vielmetter Los Angeles in 2023 and 2024 respectively. His work is included in the various public collections including Los Angeles County Museum of Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Smithsonian American Art Museum, as well as many private collections.

“Byron”, 2014
Robert Hayden III and Rick Silver

Advance tickets recommended. Please come early to enjoy the museum’s exhibitions.
Museum members: $7
Non-members: $14