Ya La’Ford’s mark is all over Tampa and unmistakable, too. And while her large scale paintings and sculptures represent some of the best public art in American, she took the show inside last fall for “Henge,” a show built around three large monuments that include leg-like half circles and circular tops, all sculpted with the hypnotizing patterns of La’Ford’s other work. Upon stepping in, viewers were asked to consider ancient art, and henges from England’s Stonehenge, to Nabta Playa in Africa’s Nubian Desert, about 500 miles south of Cairo, and even the ancient unexplained “Circle of Giants” henge in Israel’s Golan Heights. It was easy to to feel like a speck in that context, but once art reminded you of the interconnectivity of time and space, it was impossible to feel alone. yalaford.com—Ray Roa
This article appears in Best of The Bay 2024.
