Lawrence Labianca

Lawrence Labianca is a Senior Adjunct Professor in the Furniture Program at California College of the Arts (CCA), San Francisco. A New York City-born sculptor, he bridges artistic practice with academic instruction, focusing on material craft, nature-inspired forms, and kinetic installations.

His educational background includes a BA from the University of Colorado and an MFA from CCAC (now CCA). These foundations support his interdisciplinary approach to art and making.

Labianca’s research and creative interests revolve around the intersection of nature, materiality, and human interaction. His work explores how natural forces—wind, water, movement—can be harnessed to create art that documents time, process, and transformation. He integrates traditional craft techniques like intaglio printmaking with digital fabrication, resulting in works that are both emotionally resonant and technically innovative. Themes of memory, story, and metaphor are central to his artistic language.

His recent creative works—including Sounding, Continuum, and Sea Float—demonstrate a strong trend toward kinetic, environment-responsive sculptures that generate sound, drawings, or etchings through natural processes. These projects often involve collaboration, residencies, and public exhibitions, reflecting a deep engagement with both artistic and academic communities.

• Artist-in-Residence Fellowship at Anderson Ranch Art Center, 2010 (fully funded, 3 months)

Labianca has collaborated with choreographers, designers, and other artists, contributing to performances and interdisciplinary projects. While no formal students are listed, his role as an educator suggests mentorship within the Furniture Program. His creative practice functions as a form of research, often supported through residencies and exhibitions rather than traditional grants.

His work has been exhibited at institutions such as the Fuller Craft Museum, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and New Bedford Art Museum. Projects like Continuum and Sea Float were developed during artist residencies, indicating active participation in creative research communities and experimental art labs.