Flag IV Painting by Leo Marmol, FAIA

Flag IV, 2020
Oil on board, 48" x 36"

Flag IV was included in the NADA Miami 2020 virtual exhibition and is currently on view at USC's Fisher Museum of Art as part of the exhibition, "Art and Hope at the End of the Tunnel." 

The flag is a powerful symbol of a country’s history and ideology. These flag paintings were a meditation on the relationship between Marmol's country of birth, the US, and his Cuban heritage. The American flag paintings became dark brooding reflections of a turbulent political era. The Cuban flags were filled with a tropical joy and exuberance of color and movement. This is a contradiction in that today, Cuban artists are literally marching in protest to gain the creative freedom to make art without the fear of political reprisal. Marmol paints American flags without any thought or concern about how the US government will respond. Cuban artists do not live with this same expressive freedom.

Leo Marmol, FAIA

As Managing Partner of Marmol Radziner since the firm was founded in 1989, Leo oversees and supports the overall process of every project from inception to completion. Leo works closely with the Studio Directors and the construction teams to facilitate the smooth execution of the firm’s projects.

Leo lectures widely on the topics of architecture and historic restoration. Leo has also organized numerous architectural tours that highlight the wealth of mid-century Modernist landmarks in Southern California. Leo serves on the Boards of Trustees of the Palm Springs Art Museum and the UCLA Lab School.

Leo received his Bachelor of Architecture with a Minor in Philosophy from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, in 1987. Leo was elevated to the prestigious College of the Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 2007 and honored as an inductee of the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 2009.

You can view Leo’s paintings on Instagram at @leonardo_e_marmol.

• Name : Leo Marmol