2009 BIFF Poster Description from the artist
The intention of this piece is to communicate a come one come all event. The uses of various species of fish are used to personify human beings of all races and genres of life. The female figure that leads that pack of fish is used to communicate a sense of eagerness and excitement but in a less aggressive way. Elegance and childishness is used as a vehicle to aid in communicating the brunt of the message. The rainbow, a new aesthetics being visited by myself in most of my later works is used to signify promise. The Poster is magical because of the surrealist way it is portrayed. To see a fish afloat led on a leash of film by a young anxious girl definitely speaks festive, film, movie, magical, mythical. It sparks questions such as why does she seem so anxious, I want to be apart of it, when is it? where is it? who is it? These are all relevant questions to lead an audience to a venue or event through visual language. That being said, there is ample emphasis on the magical, which in turn would lead the viewer to want to ask the questions listed above.

The poster definitely plays the role of a poster (to promote or communicate an upcoming event in a way it is easy readable by a wider audience). Achieving that objective in each illustrated job I do is my main objective. Keep in mind the illustration aspect of my career is less personal and more commercial seeking, so that as long as I am able to communicate an idea or event satisfactorily to my client, myself, and to an audience - my objectives are met. In the poster the image is the message.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Lavar Munroe was educated at The Savannah College of Art and Design, he studied illustration, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts (summer 2007). From then until now, ever since, Lavar has entered many competitions and exhibitions both in the illustration and fine art fields; most of which have proven successful. Lavar currently has two bodies of children's book illustrations on travel exhibit via the annual ASSOCIAZIONE CULTURALE TEATRIO Children’s Book Competition hosted in Italy every year. As a part of the Teatrio, his work has been exhibited in Chioggia, Japan, United States, Mexico, Ethiopia, Portugal and Finland. This is just one of the more important of his awards and accolades. Lavar’s work has been in publications such as How Magazine, South Magazine, Beyond the Mirror (Italy), A Fabulous Yellow (Italy), Savannah College of Art and Design, and British American Bank Annual Calendar (Bahamas). Lavar is also a part of the Artist for Amnesty NY program where he uses his work as activist work in the fight for human rights. Fine art wise, his work has also been exhibited in galleries in the Bahamas, Atlanta GA, Savannah GA, New York, New Jersey, Raleigh NC, New Orleans and Chicago. Lavar’s work is currently a part of permanent collections such as The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, The Central Bank of the Bahamas, FINCO Bahamas, Savannah College of Art and Design, The Dawn Davies Collection, The Vincent D’aguilar Collection, and The Bonfigloli Collection just to name a few. Lavar’s work is also represented by Store 44 Representative in Arizona. Lavar is currently based in Raleigh, N.C. where he lives with his lovely wife and daughter.