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Thursday, December 30, 2010

Paper on Paper Final...click!

Cepp Selgas/Alfiletero / Gouache on paper /18x12in./ Havana, 1971

Todas estas obras de tempera sobre papel formaron parte de un gran grupo semi-perdido en el tiempo. Producidas todas con la muy precisa intención de hacer “obra de cara-bonita” desde el mismísimo infierno. La falsa impresión placentera, de casi todas, hicieron posible mi primer “Solo Show” en el Teatro Nacional de Guiñol en 1976
Mi interés por el tejido de tapices artísticos, y el extenso reclamo de tiempo que implica el asunto, me fue alejando del trabajo en tempera. Ya para 1973, casi, solamente tejía y dibujaba tintas sobre papel. En 1974 conocí la obra de M.C. Esher, y desde entonces…ya sabemos todos como ha llovido.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Paper on Paper No.5...click!

Cepp Selgas / Sarita / Gouache on paper / 18x12in. / Havana, 1971

Paper on Paper No.4...click!

Cepp Selgas/Que fuma /Gouache on paper/18x10in./Havana, 1971.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Paper on Paper No.3...click!

Cepp Selgas / Amar a Emilia / Gouache on paper / 18x10in. / Havana, 1972.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Paper on Paper No.2...click!

Cepp Selgas / El poeta Plácido / Gouache on paper / 18x12in. / Havana, 1971.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Paper on Paper No.1...click!

Cepp Selgas / El bautizo del ultimo indocubano / Gouache on paper / 18x12in. / Havana, 1971.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

The First Sefportrait of Jesus

Cepp Selgas / Mixed media / 5X3in. / 1986.

This image is from the original artwork of a Christmas postcard. It's got on its back the "Brielgas" logo designed by Ernesto Briel. Brielgas was the playful way Reinaldo Arenas use to call us, combining both our last names. This postcard came about in those early years when Madonna (the singer), was rising and rising to heaven above until the end of time. And of course, I did what any other-red blooded-Jesus would do on such an occasion, because at the end...we are still only human.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Niño de papel...click!

Cepp Selgas / Gouache on paper / 18X12in. / Havana 1971.

En mi Hablando Bloguerias No. 17-marzo 2010, ya había comentado sobre mi serie "personajes de papel".
La imagen que nos ocupa hoy, Niño de papel es un autorretrato; donde através de un lenguaje-whimsical quise parodiar la tragedia de Damocles, sustituyendo la espada por una (no-menos) peligrosa vela.
¡De “P...” queridos amiguitos!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Playful

Cepp Selgas / Acrylic on paper / 24X18in. / 1990.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Sleeping Angels II

Cepp Selgas / Acrylic on canvas / 22X28in. / 2000.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Dresden Angels II

Cepp Selgas / Acrylic on paper / 24X18in. / 1999.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Sleeping Angels

Cepp Selgas / Acrylic and oil on canvas / 28X24in. / 1995.

Ajiaco: Stirring of the Cuban Soul


After a period of two months and a week open to the public at Paul and Lulu Hilliar University Art Museum in Lafayette, Louisiana; Ajiaco: Stirring of the Cuban Soul, had its final day yesterday. This "All Cuban Art Show" was organized by The Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, CT., and guest-curated by Gail Gelburg, Ph.D., Professor of Art History and Criticism at Eastern Connecticut State University.
Ajiaco is scheduled to be open-next at The Newark Museum, June 8, 2011 - August 14, 2011, Newark, New Jersey.

Hilliar University Art Museum in Lafayette, Louisiana (right side of picture- Los hijos de Obbatalá ), one of my two paintings in this show.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Hablando Bloguerias No.51

Cepp Selgas/Open Sky V/Acrylic and oil on paper/36X28in./1994.

Mirando la selección del San Lázaro-y-sus-perros para mi anterior post, me doy cuenta que había dejado inconclusa la serie sobre mis trabajos visuales para el AKC-y-sus-perros. Pero debido a la época navideña y al ángel caído del cielo de este cuadro en cuestión, me voy por los ángeles.
El cuadro de hoy es el quinto de una serie de casi una veintena. Su imagen fue publicada en una revista Vanidades de 1994, con una elocuente nota de Mari Rodríguez Ichazo, sobre mi exhibición “Mostly Angels” en Jadite Galleries, Nueva York.
Los ángeles fue un tema de mucha comercialización en la década pre-siglo XXI de los noventa.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Babalú

Cepp Selgas / Babalú / Oil on muslin / 52X52in. / 1990.

For all Cubans everywhere, today it's Dia de San Lázaro - Babalú Day. Yes!...the same "Ricky Ricardo' Babalú".
This day always takes me back to kind-of-a-funny memory. Back in time when I asked my mother if I could beg "Babalú" the favor of breaking some horrible-schoolmate' legs. She answered me; no, no he does not break legs...he cures broken legs! - Pity, I said...and still saying.
Yet there is another pleasant one. Some time ago my beloved former-art teacher and great Cuban master Antonia Eiríz, browsing through my Gallery Genesis' catalogue, appointed this Babalú illustrating today' post, as "my best piece" so far then. Not bad for my first Saint Lazarus ever.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Friday, December 3, 2010

My Own Santa Barbara' Eve...

...New York, tonight, my own pictures.

The encaustic technique goes back as far as the XII century, so I believe. You get encaustic by mixing-oil-with-hot-wax when applying (very fast) on a thin canvas (muslin like). The painting on the back was my first Santa Barbara and also my first piece done with such technique. It's twenty one years old and for more than seventeen years has been part of Bill' decoration and re decorations for different houses and places. ¡Que viva Shangó...que viva Shangó!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

My 2010 Zoe' Calendar


Esta noche del primero de diciembre, y todavía en el 2010, reinicio mis “Hablando bloguerias”...y digo todavía en el 2010 pues en estos dos últimos meses he estado “outside myself”…suspendido en el tiempo.
Hoy mi cuadro “Fontainebleau” termina una serie de doce imágenes que encontraron sus inicios en el (para mi) muy halagador "My 2010 Zoe' Calendar”. Ya dicho por mí parte, al principio de sus publicaciones, que la idea de este calendario comprendió parte de lo que fue la promoción de mi exhibición en Ars Atelier en marzo del corriente. Muy agradecido con Zoé, Ricardo y Gustavo por haberme dado el Paris de mis metas artísticas. Termina este año y con el, la memoria inmediata de lo que fue tan dichoso evento.
Curioso pues, que Zoé haya escogido este cuadro en particular para “diciembre”. Con esta parodia yo saludaba a la Francia de mi primer viaje a Europa en 1988 y siguientes através del tiempo…con este cuadro que desde que lo ves, ya jamás podrás olvidar.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

¡Ya está a la venta Ars Magazine Nº 1...click!


Es un número especial navideño con 82 páginas y portada de Gustavo Acosta, contará además con firmas importantes.


Issue 1 - Winter | Invierno 2010
Tribute to Lezama Lima and Reinaldo Arenas, two giants of Cuban and world literature plus a special dedication to Cuban masters Gustavo Acosta and Clara Morera. This issue includes a poetry section with renown authors. Tributo a Lezama Lima y Reinaldo Arenas, dos gigantes de las letras cubanas y mundiales mas una seccion dedicada a los maestros cubanos Gustavo Acosta y Clara Morera. Este numero incluye una seccion de poesia con reconocidos autores.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Absolute Bill No.2...click!


Mi buen Bill ha regresado a casa. A una semana de su regreso y a tres de su breve ausencia, he decidido comenzar un proyecto que hasta hoy había sido una vieja promesa a mi sobrino Carlitos en San Petesburgo. Y muy en especial a su hermano Héctor Águila.
La casa de Billy fue calificada “Early Grandma” a manera de sorna (por una olvidada lengua venenosa), termino bandera que victoriosamente Billy adoptó, pues en realidad en esta “Casa de los espíritus” han vivido eternizados sus abuelos de infancia, en su viejo Puerto Rico natal.
Así que empezaremos este “Absolute Bill No.2” desde su autentico principio. La ventana.
Através de la ventana de la cocina, tan solo podemos ver un pedazo de “Inwood Park”, la parte trasera de una casita antigua, única sobreviviente a la urbanización de antaño y el muro ciego-sin ventanas del edificio vecino. Todo esto queda interrumpido por una especie de vitral tridimensional (de perfecta composición), desde el cual una "Gioconda-cooky jar " sonriente espera su café matutino.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Cuban Artists’ Books and Prints...click!

The Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute

Invites you to join us for:
The Cuban Symposium
On
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Walsh Library Beck Room ABC, 5:30PM



The Symposium will feature artists Sandra Ramos, Carlos Estévez, and Yoan Capote as part of the ongoing exhibit,
“Cuban Artists’ Books and Prints.
Libros y Grabados de Artistas Cubanos: 1985-2008”


Refreshments will be served.
We look forward to seeing you!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Gladys Triana / PINTA / New York 2010

Feria del Libro de Miami/Reinaldo García Ramos

Ilustración de cubierta: Cepp Selgas / Confluencia / Acrílico y óleo sobre lienzo / Díptico / 72X40in. / 2003.
Amigos,

El lanzamiento de mi novela testimonial Cuerpos al borde de una isla; mi salida de Cuba por Mariel (Editorial Silueta, 2010) tendrá lugar en la Feria del Libro de Miami el viernes 19 de noviembre de 2010, a las 6:30 p.m.
El acto se llevará a cabo en la Sala 3209 del Wolfson Campus del Miami-Dade College (edificio 3, segundo piso).
Compartiré esta actividad con el escritor cubano Manuel Ballagas, quien presentará su novela Descansa cuando te mueras, publicada recientemente por Lulu Press.

Quedan todos cordialmente invitados.

Monday, November 1, 2010

My 2010 Zoe' Calendar

Cielo cerrado…papalote atrapado.
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Cepp Selgas / Ciel cubain / Acrylic on canvas / 40X20in. / 2009.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Absolute Bill

Cepp Selgas / El palmar a las puertas del cielo / Acrylic and oil on paper / 36X36in. / 1994 / Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes' collection, Havana, Cuba.

Cepp Selgas / Bill-William Aguila' head study for El palmar a las puertas del cielo / New York 1994.

Bill-Happy / Miami Beach / 1993.

Bill and I-Happy / New York / 1993.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The Importance of Being Ernesto No.4

*
Graphic-image by Gustavo Valdés / Photo by Cepp Selgas.

La Gazeta de Cuba / OpArt cover by Ernesto Briel / 1969.

Ernesto Briel / Untitled / Ink on paper / 1976.

Briel and Selgas / Radiocentro Havana, Cuba / 1977 / Photo by Linda Mirabal.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

The Importance of Being Ernesto No.3

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Graphic-image by Gustavo Valdés / Photo by Cepp Selgas.
Now You See It, Now You Don’t / Oil on canvas / 1986 / Housatonic Museum of Art collection, Bridgeport, CT, USA.

Chuck Levitan Gallery / Briel-Recent Works / SoHo New York / 1992.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Importance of Being Ernesto

Ernesto Briel / Havana 1943 - New York 1992
Briel at his studio in New York / 1992 / Photo by Cepp Selgas.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

More about...


IRREVERSIBLE'S art Space is a pioneering exhibition platform for projects that transcend the classical art show, including all mediums: small format, large scale installations, theatrical events, mixed media, video projections, massive sculptures, music, live performances & unlimited kids programs.

factory II presents:

Pablo Cano | Catherine Tafur | Alejandro Mendoza
Sinuhe Vega | Ciro Quintana
Yovani Bauta | Lucinda Linderman


OPENING: SATURDAY OCT 16TH 7PM!
6900 Biscayne Blvd Miami, FL 33138
rsvp: norelkysb@irreversiblemagazine.com
www.irreversiblemagazine.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8QB3MFz9og


Pablo D. Cano |

St. Barbara on Horse back , Marionette Year: 1984 - 85
Media: Mixed media, coke can, glass , collage, plastic

Pablo D. Cano |

Born in Havana, Cuba in 1961, Pablo Cano was on the last flight out of the country before the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. He has since been a resident of Miami’s Little Havana, and is regarded by art patrons and critics alike as one of Florida’s premier contemporary fine artists.
Since childhood, marionettes have fascinated Pablo. At the age of ten, he was mounting elaborate plays for his family featuring puppets constructed of household bric-a-brac. His primary work today continues to center around the marionettes that he fashions from found objects, and the performance pieces he composes to showcase these protagonists.
Cano reveals, “I create a dream world where inanimate objects come to life – springing from my imagination in the Surrealist tradition. But my work is founded on Dada ideals. The Dadaists used chance, spontaneity, and childlike innocence in order to create their statement. Their intention, as is mine, was to break with tradition and painting technique and to return to the elemental basics of art; to start from scratch; to allow the process of imagination to unfold and begin anew each time I create.”
Bonnie Clearwater, Director and Chief Curator, MOCA North Miami observes, “Each marionette is a complete sculpture in its own right that is exhibited in the museum in its inanimate state; but when their creator and grand puppeteer Cano performs them, the figures take on a life force that causes the audience members to suspend their disbelief.” She continues, “It was clear right from Cano’s first productions at MOCA that a truly original artist, who marched to his own drummer, was in our midst. In the 1990’s, at a time when conceptual art dominated the international art world, Cano followed his heart and passion, seeing treasures in garbage and bringing unforgettable characters into existence.”
Cano employs numerous art forms in his work including oil and watercolor painting, fine drawing, charcoal and ceramic sculpture and is accomplished in each of these areas. He earned a MFA from Queens College of the City University of New York in 1985 and has studied and worked in New York, Paris, Baltimore and Miami. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in North Miami, Florida has commissioned his work annually since 1997.
Pablo Cano’s work is found in numerous public and private collections internationally including the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, FL; Museum of Art / Fort Lauderdale, FL; Lowe Museum, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL; Cintas Foundation, New York, NY; Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, SUNY at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY; The Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, GA; The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, MN; Art in Public Places, Olympia, GA; Bacardi, Miami, FL; R.J. Reynolds Company, Winston-Salem, NC; Sagamore Hotel, Collection of Martin & Cricket Taplin, Miami Beach, FL; Rubell Family Collection, Miami, FL.

| Alejandro Mendoza

"I am my own woman" Mixed media drawing on clear vinyl, 2009


| Alejandro Mendoza

I am, by default, the illustrator of my ideas, even though; I seem to lie to myself constantly. Creating is the most “bestial” process of my conclusions. It is the energy of starting something without exactly knowing the actual outcome.
My environments are constants on my aesthetic proposal, which is tied to the parallel need to understand common sense and making my interpretation of it more or less acceptable or understandable. Limiting me to an immutable idea or a permanent line of reasoning would be to deny the logic possibility of responding to my raising impulses.

Creating is the experience of being constantly unsatisfied. When this happens, I should redo and lie to myself again.

Catherine Tafur |

I love you too, Baby, 2006, oil on canvas, 36 x 44 inches


Catherine Tafur |

My works are narratives about defilement and psychological damage. Figures are mutilated, defective, confrontational, perversely hyper-sexualized, and tormented by an unattainable need for connection. Moments of crisis arise upon the realization of the human capacity for violence and the discovery of evil that hides behind normality. Presenting a space in which to ruminate on this dark side of human nature poses the question of how to retain integrity and dignity in the face of trauma.


Yovani Bauta |

Grandfather, oil on canvas, 2010

Yovani Bauta |

Yovani Bauta has exhibited in galleries and museums both nationally (USA) and internationally. he also exhibited extensible in Cuba, during the 70’s, 80’s and part of the 90’s. he taught at the national school of art, in Havana, Cuba. today he teaches painting at Miami Dade College, Interamerican Campus.
His current work, “mapping bodies,” a series of paintings, prints and drawings are currently showing in venues around the united states and Europe.

| Ciro Quintana

"El triunfo del arte cubano" oil on canvas, 2010

| Ciro Quintana
CIRO [quintana] ART

o el lúdico puzzle de la identidad renegociada

Ciro Quintana es un artista cubano (nacido en La Habana, Cuba en el año 1964) de vital importancia dentro de la historia del Arte de nuestro país. Fundador del radical Grupo Puré, junto a Lázaro Saavedra, Ermy Taño, Ana Albertina, y Adriano Buergo, en la segunda mitad de la década de los ochenta; y creador de un “estilo estético neo-pop” que combinaba la apropiación del cómic heroico y el revisionismo neo-historicista de la Pintura. Siendo así, ha expuesto exitosamente y con gran repercusión mediática sus rotundas instalaciones neo-barrocas donde aglutina esculturas, pinturas, dibujos, carteles y objetos en prestigiosos espacios culturales como la Collection Ludwig, en el Ludwig Forum de Aachen, la Stadtische Kunsthalle, de Dusseldorf, o en la 3ª Bienal de la Habana en el Museo Nacional Palacio de Bellas Artes. En el transcurso de más de veinte años de carrera su obra ha evolucionado paulatinamente de forma procesual -sin premuras ni prisas adoslecentes- de una “mirada pseudo-americanista” y politizada a una “mirada nacional-universalista” y poética; evolución que lo dota de cierta distinción dentro del panorama plástico nacional residente en el exilio como un creador único, y lo hace indiscutiblemente heredero directo de creadores del “Pop Histórico Cubano” como Raúl Martínez y Umberto Peña, o lo sitúa como co-protagonista de su presente junto a coetáneo de las nuevas tendencias pictóricas internacionales europeas como Neo Rausch, Frank Ackherman, o Michael Majerius. Hacedor de una obra polifacética y políglota, la cual desde la Pintura intercambia las “reglas del juego” de su identidad nómada; para desde esta negociación, reinventarse desde la observación crítica, el autoanálisis y el reciclaje más barroquizante, una y otra vez.

Omar-Pascual Castillo
Barcelona, España
Invierno, 2010