Opening reception: April 18, 2013, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
From April 18 through May 25, 2013.
Luis Cruz Azaceta. “UP * SIDE * DOWN (turmoil, disasters & shootings)”
Luis Cruz Azaceta continues working with political and social themes. In this exhibition he surveys of all the major political events that occurred around the globe: those that affect the world such as the Arab Spring, those that distress directly a specific country such as Iraq, and those that touch a community, like the Cuban Ladies in White of Havana.
These pieces illustrate a departure in his imagery. Although he is still commenting on social issues, in his previous series of works the artist transmitted directly his intentions through his powerful images, especially his trademark distorted human figures. In these new pieces the message is disguised in these semiabstract forms of bright colors, and the titles become a guide to the real intentions behind each piece.
Project Room: Sandy Hook Shooting Series
In the Project Room we will present a selection of pieces by Azaceta inspired by the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting. This tragic incident and the associations derived from other recent shootings around the country, inspired Azaceta: in these works he uses child-like imagery as a direct reference to the involvement of children. The crudeness of the imagery is meant to shock, a cruel reminder of the lives lost and hopefully an awakening call. These pieces are closer to his characteristic human figures, distorted by the horror of the incident represented. Azaceta isolated the faces to draw attention to on the emotional factor.
Luis Cruz Azaceta was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1942, and currently lives and works in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was educated at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Azaceta is recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, D.C; the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Grant, New York, the Pollock Krasner Award; and the New York Foundation for the Arts Awards, among others. His work can be found in collections such as The Museum of Modern Art, New York; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Massachusetts; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; The Smithsonian Institute of Art, Washington, DC; The Miami Art Museum, Miami, Florida; The Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas and the Tucson Museum of Art, Arizona, among others.
Luis Enrique Camejo. Miami Cool
In this exhibition Luis Enrique Camejo illustrates his impressions about Miami, focusing on Miami Beach with its pedestrian zones and on downtown with its tall buildings and car traffic. His paintings are like a virtual tour through the city, illustrating recognizable or forgotten city corners at an almost life size. The images become almost documental; Camejo chose to represent different parts of the city, including some that have changed since his last visit. A good example is his diptych titled Vacio (Emptiness) portraying the corner of Miami Beach where the Ghirardelli store used to be, today a candy store. He also captures details of the Miamian urban life such as the interruptions and the traffic congestion provoked by open bridges in downtown.
He is fascinated by the city life, the tall buildings, the highways and the speed of cars. His eye captures what might be seen as monotonous for the people who live in the place, but which become unpredictable views from any given street.
Luis Enrique Camejo was born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, in1971, and currently lives and works in Havana. He attended the Superior Art Institute and the National Art School, both in Havana, Cuba. His work has been exhibited worldwide and can be found in many collections.
Pan American Art Projects
2450 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
305.573.2400
www.panamericanart.com
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