I believe that, ultimately, art must be shared, provoke emotions, and motivate people to express themselves.
I have a unique, symbolic and dramatic style. My African-Caribbean roots influence my choice of colours, subjects and topics. My heritage, Rastafarian culture and Mother Nature are my inspiration and guide.
My intention is to explore humanity’s universal values, such as equality, social justice, freedom, loyalty and forgiveness, through my perspective as a Black man. I paint Black people to honour their roles in my life. I paint love, courage, resistance, the need to speak out, to understand and to be critical and inquisitive of the status quo. I paint what I live, feel and hope.
My art embodies my culture. I frequently use green coloured houses in my work and mostly within my characters, to represent the backgrounds that each one of us carries within which is unique, yet common to us all. I aim to depict that which unites, rather than separates us. The colours I mainly use are Rastafarian colours, which are also common in most African flags.
My art pieces are mainly acrylic and mixed media paintings, but also include installations and handmade prints. Each project I undertake is different and consists of multiple pieces in a range of different media, grouped around specific themes. I like to experiment with different styles and visual effects, textures and ideas, yet keeping my methodology consistent.
The symbolic elements that I use represent the motive within a piece, pieces or a collection.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
- 1995 – 1998 Academia Provincial de Artes Plásticas (Fine Art Academy), ciudad de Las Tunas, Cuba
MOST RECENT EXHIBITIONS
- Collective exhibition, Pavilion Dance South West, Bournemouth, October 2019
- Collective exhibition, Saint Augustine’s Centre, Brighton, October 2018 to July 2019
- Collective exhibition, Open House, Africart, Brighton, May 2018
- Personal exhibition, Jukes, Brighton, April-May 2018
- Personal exhibition ‘Ashé’, Jubilee Library, Brighton, October 2017
- Collective exhibition, It’s All About Culture, Shelley Theatre, Bournemouth, October 2017
- Personal exhibition, Sunshine, Books, Art and Coffee, Brighton, April to October 2017
- Collective exhibition, ‘Retrospective’, Black and Minority Ethic Community Partnership, Brighton, May 2017
- Personal exhibition, ‘Journeys’, Plenty Café, Brighton, April 2017
- Personal exhibition, ‘Open House’, Bournemouth, spring-summer 2015
- Personal exhibition ‘Trapped voices’, The Wool House, Southampton, October 2013
- Personal exhibition ‘No Woman, No Cry’, Rhodes Gallery, Bishop’s Stortford, September 2012
- Personal exhibition ” Black woman “, Moontree Gallery, Bournemouth, June-July 2010
- Participated in art-architecture project, Montego Bay, Jamaica, August 2009
- Collective exhibition (untitled), Island Art Gallery, Kingston, Jamaica, June 2009
- Personal exhibition, ” Island “, during the 34th Annual Caribbean Studies Association Conference in Hotel Hilton, Kingston, Jamaica, June 2009
- Personal exhibition ” Retrospectiva ” , Hotel Hilton, Kingston, Jamaica, June 2009
- Personal exhibition, ” Island “, Hotel Hilton, Kingston, Jamaica, June 2009
- Personal exhibition, “Visiones de Inglaterra”, Southampton Art Gallery, Southampton City Council, February 2009
- Collective exhibition (untitled), fundraiser and auction, London, January 2009
- Collective exhibition (untitled), fundraiser and auction for Southampton Autistic Society, November 2008
- Personal exhibition (untitled), fundraiser project for Cuba after the hurricanes. Southampton, November 2008
- Personal exhibition ” Retrospectiva”, Spice Art Gallery, Southampton, October 2008
- Collective exhibition (untitled) as part of “Black History Month”, Southampton Art Gallery, October 2008
- Personal exhibition “Piel de Acertijos”, Sala Villena, UNEAC, Habana, Cuba. August 2008
AFFILIATIONS
Member of Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (Unión Nacional de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba) (UNEAC), http://www.uneac.org.cu/
Wingless Angel
The project
Wingless Angel is my present and most coveted project. Its main aim is to create opportunities to promote Cuban art in the UK and beyond.
These opportunities will include a series of exhibitions of my art and that of other selected Cuban artists. Pieces will represent various forms of visual art including paintings, sculptures, mixed media, prints.
This project will give international exposure to those examples of Cuban art that are still unknown, uncover incredible talent and make it visible in the world as we have so much to share. We want to start conversations and create spaces to exchange ideas.
The sales and auctions of the art pieces will generate funds which will be reinvested into the project so that it can grow and create more opportunities. A part of the proceeds will go towards institutions that work with children with chronic and terminal illnesses in Cuba and the UK.
What can you do?
An easy way to support Wingless Angel is by purchasing art pieces in my online shop as all proceeds will go towards funding the project.
You can also participate in this unique project by:
- making a donation which will go towards covering art materials, transport, packing, insurance, storage, venue hire, promotion and marketing.
- Suggesting exhibition venues, including galleries and non-conventional spaces both within and outside the UK
- Offering opportunities for collaborations and partnerships.
- Giving ideas, feedback and suggestions as they are always welcome.
Wingless Angel is a living project which will continue to generate opportunities.
It is a chance for Cuban art, in particular from the eastern province of Las Tunas, to gain international exposure and support a social endeavour and commitment to children in need.
If you want to know more about the project or want to contribute in any way do email me at springercuba@gmail.com.
Many thanks.