Artist Statement

I try to portray the daily rhythms of women across the world as they work in markets and rice fields and as they take part in local festivals. I am particularly drawn to the strength and grace of these women as they attend to the rhythms and rituals of daily life. My paintings explore the movement, color and light of their lives through pattern and texture.

About Lori Lander

Bio

I grew up in New York City and south Florida.  Inspired by paintings in the museums I visited as a child, I took my first art classes at the Art Students League of New York, and have since studied painting at Princeton University with Frances Barth, at Bennington College Summer Painting Workshop with Carol Haerer and Thelma Appel and in Boston with Joel Janowitz, among others.  I have lived in Cambridge since 1981. The images in my paintings are drawn from my travels to Asia, Africa, Central and South America, Europe and the Middle East since 1978.

 In addition to my painting, I am a community activist and volunteer. I am passionate about civic engagement.  I have served on the Advisory Board of the Cambridge Arts Council and the Board of Directors of the Cambridge Community Foundation. I currently serve on the Board of Trustees of Cambridge Health Alliance.

I co-founded and co-direct Many Helping Hands 365, a civic engagement non-profit, that (1) organizes an annual Martin Luther King Day of Service involving 3000+ volunteers, (2) organizes an annual faith, community and public health driven gun buy back program and (3) created and maintains a volunteering website and handbook for the Cambridge community.

Since 2010, I have hosted monthly breakfast gatherings of 50-70+ people (mainly but not only women) to discuss topical issues as varied as Race, Youth and Education, Affordable Housing, Arts and Social Change, Women on the Margins, Climate Change: Taking Action Locally, Supporting Our Immigrant Neighbors and more. Beginning April 2020, I have hosted the Breakfast Gatherings monthly on ZOOM focusing on racial and social justice issues bringing together 30-60 people each month. Link to list of topics since April 2020.

I have lived in Cambridge with my wonderful husband Eric since 1981. We have three wonderful adult children – Jessica, Daniel and David - who have found love with wonderful partners and spouses. Our family grown to 8 of us - Jessica + Julian, Daniel + Michael and David + Jen. We are truly blessed.