The Lou Diafero Art Gallery

What Critics are saying about Lou's self proclaimed "Thinkpieces"

"I can vouch for Louis. I have known him for years and am just beginning to really scratch the surface of where he is going with his art. If at first the statements his art makes escape you, hang in there and let the vibes surround your soul. When it does happen, IF it ever happens - it’s very rewarding for mind, body, and spirit."

-Heif, TNI Times

"'Friendship' is a brilliant exploration of fraternal love in the 21st century. The artist deftly conveys the positive and negative emotions associated with the male dynamic, but without forcing any judgment upon the viewer. With the underlying homoeroticism of male bodybuilders, Diaferio skillfully portrays the insecurities of the modern male, while suggesting we're all a little bit mo. "

-Joe Stewart, Editor, SOGO Weekly

"This is a textbook example of Louis' tendency to take the most profound and near-indecipherable aspects of the paradigms that enslave our consciousness, whittle it down to its most essential core of meaning, and convey these elusive lessons which oftentimes exhaust even the most steadfast intellectual explorers. This piece, entitled "friendship" is as profound a statement as these eyes have ever seen. Absolutely brilliant in its message and execution, this is the visual equivalent to a stranger pulling you off to the side, only to put in the palm of your hand the stuff dreams are actually made of. The bodybuilders represent the fassad many people fabricate to distance themselves from the sensitivity that is necessary to maintain friendship. The physical appearance is in sharp contrast to the words spoken. It's a visual Class-3 water rapid at this point as the eye decides what to focus on next. Atop this piece we can see Yoda in the center and a squirrel and beaver bookending the corners. This is a bold choice of placement. The words of the bodybuilders express the confusion that is present in everyday life. The "squirrel" and "beaver" actually represent sexual urge, but the placement centers the focus to Yoda, which serves as a diety. The spiritual aspect which reins over mortal indecision. When focused on Yoda, one believes that there is maybe nowhere higher to look for the answer, but then, ironically enough, the answer is "right under" the particiapnt's nose. Seems like when the diety (symbolized by Yoda) doesn't seem to have the answer, the answer is found in the words of a man. Timeless words they are, John Lennon's "imagine" gives the piece contemporary appeal. Absolutely exhausting is this piece, but a satisfying exhaust at that. Pass the cigarette." -Heif, on "Friendship" 8\5\05

"Like I said...a thinkpiece. I am very abstract with my art, the timing and motion I set off draws off the opaque background used and makes one feel almost as if they are one with the portrait."

Louis (Pronounced Lou-Eeee), 7/27/05

Critical Reviews of Lous' work

"Whatever "it" is, Lou has it.

Like a meteor, Louis shot out of obscurity and into the sometimes harsh glare of the public eye - and he has yet to disappoint. With the first installment of his latest thinkpiece, "Liberty," Louis once again manages to seamlessly blend cut and past functions with the subtleties of Microsoft Paint. The final imagine is both humbling and empowering, as he addresses the cruel realities of the post Cold-War climate. He expertly contrasts the "haves" of Western culture to the "have nots" of Eastern Europe in a way so powerful that one must stand in awe of his genius. The message one takes away from this work is that even modestly compensated Americans have more wealth than the highest class citizents behind the former iron curtain... but "wealth," through Louis, is not portrayed as material goods, but instead as something far more important... "

Joe Stewart, on Liberty: Part one

"Loueee's "Liberty: Part Deux" is eclecticism at is most prevalent. Not only does the artist give a glimpse into his own unfathomable depths of intrigue, the piece acts as a mirror into the viewers' own. Spanning from sea to shining sea, covering decades of strife, blending fact with fiction, this piece entails only what imagination can conjure. Reminiscent of Van Gogh and with a flavor of Dali, Loueee really covers all the bases with his newest piece. A mix of heart-wrenching emotions fills the body upon first glimpse. From childhood happiness to fear of the apocalypse, a teenager's fantasy to a quarter-life binge, "Liberty: Part Deux" will take you on a roller-coaster made of dreams. There have been rumors of novices falling into the clutches of insanity attempting to decipher the nature of "Liberty: Part Deux", and even they have barely scratched the surface. To relate the work to layman's terms, Loueee's "Liberty: Part Deux" is a step above groundbreaking and a step short of complete loss of rationale. "Liberty: Part Deux" truly is a new chapter in modernistic post-modern classic neoclassicisistic international domestic expressionism impressionist art. Beautiful, simply beautiful. "

Dave McMahon, On Liberty:Part Deux