News

Russell Thanks Hospital - 25th June 2010

Russell expressed his gratitude to the staff of the hospital who delivered his fourth Grandson Oliver with the donation of a painting.

The painting - called Alegria and meaning "Joy" in Spanish - will be hung in the maternity ward.

The Creative North Yorkshire website has had a makeover! - 26 May 2010

They have set up a blog for improvement and feedback - visit the link below.

Please feel free to post comments and let us know of any glitches, niggles or hiccups you're experiencing - technical or otherwise.

We're also open to positive comments/success stories!
Have you gained a commission, received funding or made any interesting
contacts/collaboration as a result of Creative North Yorkshire?

They are listening!

www.creativeny.wordpress.com

"Live your dream" - 10th May 2010

Antonio Guerrero is a young contemporary Cuban artist.He was born in 1968 in Matanzas Cuba, under the Castro regime. He grew up in a household where artistic expression was appreciated and encouraged; although materials were not always available, his dreams and ideas were always abundant.In 1986 Antonio was drafted into the army and was immediately transported to Africa to fight in the Ethiopian War.

Finding himself inspired by the people and scenes of Africa he developed an interest in modern expressionism and began to experiment with modern forms of visual art. The popularity of his work led to exhibits of his paintings at the military base.

Guerrero returned to Cuba in 1988 where he resumed his job as an artisan specializing in painting, engraving woodcarving, sculpting and metal work. Feeling increasingly oppressed by Cuba's government, and unhappy with the worsening living conditions, Antonio, along with two other men, climbed into a raft they had secretly designed and built. Floating off from the coast of Matanzas, they were at sea for five days before being rescued and brought to the U.S.While he has resided in the United States Guerrero has encountered many challenges that have inspired his artistic expression.

Guerrero creates art in phases, his subject matter is based on the episodes and emotional stages of his life, and the assortment of media he uses reflects and expressionistic style. He paints with acrylics as well as oils, explores line design with pencils, and uses mixed media to create montages. His experimenting in styles increases the originality of his work.In January of 1995 Guerrero's “Balseros del 92”, (“The Rafters of 92”)was exhibited at Vanidades Gallery in Miami, FL. This painting was part of a collection donated to the Jose Marti Foundation in order to raise money for the Florida International University student scholarships. This portrait of himself along with his cousin and friend fleeing Cuba was said to best commemorate the occasion. On May 17, 1996 Guerrero's work was exhibited by U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in Washington D.C. as a part of the “Cubans in exile” exhibit.

Through his evolving exploration as an artist, Guerrero has strived and transgressed through many facets of his imagination that have taken him on a journey of classic and surreal art fused by his vivid imagination, his elaborate dreams, and his particular expressions of a very intriguing life path.

As of the late 90s Antonio has been replenishing and increasing his insatiable talent quietly and feverously through diverse outlets, some of his artistic expressions extend to murals which he dedicated two years of his creative quest. He then began to communicate his art though composing, writing, and singing meaningful songs; in the same genre he also plays The conga ortumbadora. Through the vast part of the new millennium he has been exhibiting his work throughout Europe and South America as well as the US.

Orestes Gaulhiac exhibition in the USA - 5th May 2010

Orestes Gaulhiac has been working on his next collection which will be exhibited in the USA next month. More information coming soon.

Latest Paintings By Orestes Gaulhiac From Cuba - 14th April 2010

Orestes Gaulhiac was born in Santiago de Cuba on May 18, 1960. In 1978, he participated in his first exhibition in Havana. He graduated from the Escuela Nacional de Diseno in 1980. His work has been shown in numerous exhibitions in his native Cuba, as well as the wider world, and forms part of many prestigious private collections around the globe. Gaulhiac has become one of Cuba's best-known contemporary artists.

Orestes has just released his latest paintings - click for a larger view.

John Mackie artist report on promotional weekend in Scotland - 29th March 2010

John Mackie said "I'm just back from a promotional weekend in Scotland where we have some work on show in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Loch Lomond and Peebles. It was hard work and we met some lovely people who actually buy paintings as well as appreciating them!"

My visit to Old Havana, Cuba in November 2009 - 24th March 2010

If you have the opportunity to venture into Old Havana, you can't miss the many art galleries among the elegant arches and columns of the restored colonial streets. And, if you're lucky, you may just come upon some of Cuba's top artists at work there, or at least minding the shop like my friend Orestes Gaulhiac. Obispo No 360. e/ Compostela y Habana, Habana Vieja, C. de la Habana, Cuba.

Now more than ever might be the time to visit and buy Cuban art: the United States has been talking about lifting a ban that prohibits all but a few Americans from visiting the island and, if it does, prices will no doubt rise considerably.

Art has been a priority since the early days of the revolution, when Fidel Castro's government recognized its importance in the forging of a new Cuban identity. The first generations of art students were trained with classical Soviet methods but, since the 1980s, there has been an increased expression of "Cubaness" among artists.

There is an artistic elite in Cuba that was trained in the 80s and 90s. These are artists who work with international galleries; who participate in the most important projects in the world, and who are undertaking some of the most incredible art you could imagine.

For a broader range of art there is the "Museo de Bellas Artes" (Fine Arts Museum), which contains a vast collection by printmakers, painters and other Cuban artists.

The national gallery showcases have much of the very best of Cuban art from the 16th century to the present.

Other galleries featuring Cuban art:

Acacia, on the south side of the Havana Theatre, Centro Havana
Centro de Desarrollo de las Artes Visuales, 352 San Ignacio, Plaza Vieja, Old Havana
Factoria Habana, opened IN DEC. at 308 O'Reilly, Old Havana
Habana, Linea 460 between E and F, Vedado
-23 y 12, at the corner of 23 and 12 streets, Vedado
Villa Manuela, gallery of the National Union of Writers and Artists, H St. between 17 and 19, Vedado
There are also several galleries on Obispo and Oficios streets offering a wide range of quality, prices and style.

Finally, if you go to Old Havana please visit my friend Orestes Gaulhiac, and take a look at his professional work , it is well worth the visit to his studio. Click here for more information.

Please remember, exit permits are usually required to take art out of Cuba but galleries should provide these at no extra cost. You are sure to be asked for a permit if carrying a poster tube onto the plane.

Russell

Anquin's Art Club - 17th March 2010

Anquin's Art Club gives everyone the opportunity to start an art collection. You can start collecting the work of an artist of your choice and keep up to date with their latest work.

My Thoughts on Exhibitions - 15th March 2010

When I exhibit in galleries other than my own, I will only ever exhibit my latest piece of work. I made this decision as I want an accurate reaction from the spectator. The association and consideration for the spectator's thoughts are very important to me, the spectator brings the work in contact with the external world, thus adds his or her contribution to the creative act.

No matter how provocative, irrational or momentary my art is, the spirit in which it was made gave my paintings life.

The spectators and their thoughts are more important to me than any commercial objective, the nature of artistic 'independence' again reinforces my argument that the artist must communicate with the spectator and their views, not the commercial world.

Then you are true to yourself as an artist.

Artist Independence has its Limits - 9th March 2010

“You're not selling my painting!” - A statement made by Russell's wife Debbie

We were on a photoshoot for Russell's new work and in no uncertain terms Debbie made it quite clear this painting was not for sale. Russell did not say a word. Obviously the painting meant a great deal to Debbie and nobody else was going to own it. This proved to the team that artist's independence is in some cases limited.

Back to top