Kendall Art Center (KAC) is proud to present “Artists in Purgatory” an exhibition of Jorge Reynardus Collection that brings together work of Cuban artists such Adriano Buergo, Adrián Menéndez, Agustín Fernández, Aldo Menéndez, Alejandro Aguilera, Ana Albertina, Alonso Mateo, Ángel Delgado, Antonia Eiriz, Armando Guiller, Armando Mariño, Arturo Cuenca, Carlos Cárdenas, Carlos Estévez, Carlos González, Carlos Luna, Carlos Sanjurjo, Clara Reynardus, Consuelo Castañeda, Ciro Quintana, Elsa Mora, Fernando García, Flavio Garciandía, Gay García, Glexis Novoa, Guido Llinas, Gustavo Acosta, Heriberto Mora, Humberto Castro, Ileana Villazón, Ismael Peralta, Iván Cañas, Ivonne Ferrer, José Bedia, José Franco, Juan-si González, Julio Antonio, Luis Cruz Azaceta, Luis Mallo, Magdalena Campos, Maldito Menéndez (Aldito), Mario Algaze, Mario Almaguer, Mario García Joya, Marta María Pérez, Nétor Arenas, Ofill Echevarria, Pablo Carreño, Pedro Vizcaíno, Rafael López Ramos, Ramón Grandal, Robaldo Rodríguez, Rogelio López Marin (Gory), Rubén Mendoza, Rubén Torres Llorca, Sandra Ramos, Sergio Payares, Tomás Esson, William Castellanos, Yovani Bauta.

 

 

Curated by Aldo Menendez, Henry Ballate and Ivonne Ferrer, is now being presented in Miami by Leo Rodriguez, a well-known collector, founder and director of the KAC. The exhibition “Artists in Purgatory” is forging new recognition to these artists within the contemporary art world and a new definition of their artistic status that ends the collective isolation.

The renowned New York advertising executive, Jorge Reynardus, raised in Cuba, will exhibit more than 50 works of art between paintings and sculptures. Additionally, he will present under the same title a book especially dedicated to explaining what all of these creatives, currently living outside of their homeland, and in particular in the United States, represent as well as the fundamental contribution they started in the decade of the ‘80s in Cuba.

“My intentions about sharing this story should be clear: I am totally committed to the values found in our democracy and in America’s economic model. I appreciate the ideals of self-reliance and entrepre-neurship. Besides, I also believe that we are at our best when we offer generosity and empathy to those who need it most. We must learn to honor immigrants for the immense contribution they make to our way of life and the beauty they bring to our culture”. Jorge Reynardus.

The English volume is published under the seal of the Cuban Art Alliance, an institution founded and headed by Reynardus himself. The editor, Aldo Menendez, includes the analysis of other important critics, intellectuals, academics, galleries, etc. In the early pages, Reynardus tells how and why he committed to collecting modern Cuban art. In the beginning of the 346 pages and 326 reproductions appear introductory words from the distinguished American writer and Pulitzer Prize winner William Kennedy.

“This book, Artists in Purgatory, contains the work of seventy-two Cuban artists who, beginning about 1990, abandoned the island of Cuba, but not Cuba. It is a rare collection of sculpture and painting that identifies these artists by what they have in common–– a displaced imagination. The collector, Jorge Reynardus, in the book’s title, associates their condition with Purgatory, for he decided that these artists have been living there for two decades”. William Kennedy

 

 

Kendall Art Center (KAC), is dedicated to promoting the work of contemporary artists, and to the exchange of art and ideas throughout the Miami region and internationally. Through an energetic calendar of exhibitions, programs, and its collections, KAC provides an international platform for the work of established and emerging artists, advancing the public appreciation and understanding of the art.

An opening reception will be held on Friday, Sep 8 from 6:00 – 11:00 PM

The exhibition will remain on view until Oct 13, 2017

 

 

featured image: José Bedia, Viti Mensu, 2006, carboncillo acrílico tela, 52 x 98 in.

 

Kendall Art Center 12063 SW 131st Ave. Miami, FL, 33186

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