PRESS RELEASE
.... another important chance to taste the vibrancy of the Cuban
contemporary art scene (Richard Deacon, exhibition patron and Turner Prize winner)
Gallery 27 Cork Street, London – 23 to 28 April, 2012
The Lighthouse, Glasgow – 7 to 13 May, 2012
Beyond the Frame: Contemporary Cuban Art presents fresh and diverse artworks by 26 of
Cuba’s leading artists specially selected for this unique UK exhibition. Works by the island’s
internationally acclaimed contemporary artists will be displayed alongside top documentary
photographers, some of whom have shaped perceptions of Cuba, both real and imaginary.
Looking beyond the frame, the exhibition will offer a snapshot of an art scene that is
engaging and thought provoking. Pieces in vivid colours and more sombre items, both
abstract and figurative, will be displayed alongside conceptual work using found materials
and familiar iconic images.
The range and calibre of the contributing artists has been ensured through a close working
partnership with the National Council of Visual Arts in Havana. Artists have been invited to
either create a new piece or select an existing work, because of its particular significance.
Featuring painting, print, drawing, mixed media and photography, Beyond the Frame will
offer a diverse picture of contemporary Cuba, the creativity of its artists and its history. It will
be the first presentation and sale of work by some of these artists in the UK.
Alexis Leyva Machado (Kcho)
Sin título / Untitled (2007)
Drawing in blue crayon on white card
204 cm x 150 cm
Highlights will include work by Alexis Leyva Machado, known as
Kcho, one of Cuba’s best known and most internationally recognised
living artists. Kcho’s conceptual work in recycled materials is sought
after by collectors internationally. He is also an accomplished
draughtsman.
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Manuel Mendive
Sin título / Untitled (2011)
Oil on canvas
44cm x 50cm
Manuel Mendive, another international exhibitor familiar to
UK art viewers, uses myth and narrative to engage with
Cuba’s African roots.
Eduardo Roca Salazar (Choco)
Sueño caribeño / Caribbean dream (2011)
Collograph
66 cm x 69 cm
Eduardo Roca Salazar, known as Choco, has selected a highly
textured human figure in the collographic technique that has
contributed to his international reputation.
In this type of
artwork, collages of different materials are arranged on a board
which is then used as the basis to make an impression on
specialised cotton paper. As well as being recognised for the high quality of their
craftsmanship, Choco’s work is also viewed as truly emblematic of Cuban culture.
Juan Roberto Diago Durruthy
Día / Day (2011)
Mixed media
80cm x 60cm
Juan Roberto Diago Durruthy is one of the newer generation of
contributing artists. He has a growing reputation in the international
arena and has represented Cuba at the Venice Biennale. His work is
held in collections in the USA, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland,
although he is not yet represented in the UK. The artist often works in jute, a material
associated with sugar and by association with African slavery.
René de Jesús Peña González
Wardrobe (2007)
Photograph
54 cm x 40 cm
René de Jesús Peña Gonzales has been at the forefront of
trends in art photography in Cuba since the early 1990s. For
this exhibition he is contributing Wardrobe, a stunning
photographic piece that depicts the artist’s hand encased in brass, resting against his body.
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‘The long imprisonment has been defeated by love and art.’
Antonio Guerrero
The exhibition is also being staged to raise awareness of the Miami Five, five Cubans
unjustly imprisoned in the United States for 13 years. The case is supported by Amnesty
International, the UN Commission on Human Rights, and prominent individuals including
eleven Nobel Prize winners.
Loosely referencing the exhibition’s title, some Cuban artists have selected works that
engage with the concept of a frame’s boundaries while others look beyond it, taking the
ideals of the Five, who have never wavered in their beliefs, as a metaphor for the principles
of Cuban society. Central to the exhibition will be artwork by two of the Five, Antonio
Guerrero and Gerardo Hernández, both of whom have taken up art while in prison.
Beyond the Frame unites UK-based artists and patrons in support of the campaign
This rare opportunity will see Cuban art displayed alongside work by other internationally
acclaimed artists. Alasdair Gray, Susan Hiller, Mona Hatoum, and John Keane are among
the exhibitors. John Keane comments
‘Since I think that in international relations culture can be the best ambassador I am
pleased to be able to contribute to an event which seeks to by-pass international
embargoes and highlights continuing injustice.’
The artworks by the twenty six Cuban and twenty other international artists are available for
purchase. All income from sales will go to the campaign for justice for the Miami Five. A full
list of exhibiting artists is in the notes for editors below.
Beyond the Frame: Contemporary Cuban Art is open for viewing and sales at:
Gallery 27, Cork Street, London W1 - Monday 23 to Saturday 28 April 2012
The Lighthouse, Glasgow, G1 - Monday 7 to Sunday 13 May 2012
.
Press information
For further information about the exhibition, artists and for images please contact:
Sue Barnard on 07759 293197 or by email at dodie.beyondtheframe@gmail.com
For press enquiries about the Miami Five please contact:
Natasha Hickman on 020 800 0155 or email communications@cuba-solidarity.org.uk
www.cubabeyondtheframe.com
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Notes for Editors
Beyond the Frame: Contemporary Cuban Art is being organised in collaboration with the
National Council of Visual Arts, Havana and Cuba Solidarity Campaign, London.
Beyond the Frame: Contemporary Cuban Art is a not-for-profit event. All artists are
donating their artworks and any surplus income from sales will fund Cuba Solidarity
Campaign’s ongoing work to achieve justice for the Miami Five.
A programme of associated events will take place in London and Glasgow and at other
venues in Edinburgh, Manchester and York
Lesbia Vent Dumois, Eduardo Roco Salazar (Choco) and Gustavo Díaz Sosa will be
attending the exhibitions and events and will be available for interview.
Cuban artists and photographers exhibiting in Beyond the Frame:
Lidia Ethesr Aguilera Sanchez
Alexis Leyva Machado (Kcho)
Juan Vicente Rodríguez Bonachea
Rigoberto Mena Santana
Luis Enrique Camejo Vento
Manuel Mendive Hoyos
Manuel Comas Labrada
Michel Mirabel Martínez
Joan Arel Ruíz Contino
Liborio Noval Barbara
Juan Roberto Diago Durruthy
René de Jesús Peña Gonzales
Nelson Dominguez Cedeño
Rafael Pérez Alonso
Ernesto Fernández Nogueras
Ernesto Rancaño Vieites
José Fuster
Eduardo Roco Salazar (Choco)
Sándor González Vilar
Roberto Salas Merino
Gustavo Díaz Sosa
Liudmila Ivella Velasco and
Javier Guerra Fernández
Nelson Ramírez de Arellano
William Hernandez Silva
Lesbia Vent Dumois
Other contributing artists:
Sam Ainsley
Derek Boshier
Susan Hiller
Rasheed Araeen
John Byrne, RSA
John Keane
Iwan Bala
Khulood Da’mi
kennardphillipps
Robert Ballagh
Rose Finn-Kelcey
Alexander Moffat, RSA
Steve Bell
Alasdair Gray
Tom Pietrasik
Ross Birrell and David Harding
Mona Hatoum
Jane Yates
Patrons:
Art sector - Dawn Ades - Sam Ainsley - Rasheed Araeen - Steve Bell - John Berger -
Ross Birrell - Guy Brett - Gilbert Brownstone - John Byrne - Professor Annie Coombes -
Richard Deacon - Andrew Dempsey - Professor Valerie Fraser - Alasdair Gray - David
Harding - John Keane – kennardphillipps - Catherine Lampert - Kim Longinotto -
Professor Laura Mulvey - Tom Pietrasik - Julian Stallabrass
Other - Tariq Ali - Dr. Peter G. Bourne, MD, MA - Louise Christian - Liz Davies - Andy de
la Tour - Jan Fairley - Neil Findlay, MSP - Tony Graham - Celia Hewitt - Roger Lloyd
Pack - David Mackay - Jehane Markham - Professor Marjorie Mayo - Peter Mullan -
Maxine Peake - Professor Patrick Pietroni, DSc (Hon), FRCP - Pedro Pérez Sarduy -
Baroness Angela Smith, Baroness of Basildon - Drew Smith, MSP - Elaine Smith, MSP -
Mark Stephens - Sandra White, MSP - Tony Woodley - Susan Wooldridge - Benjamin
Zephaniah
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