"Under the Spell of the Palm Tree: The Rice Collection of Cuban Art" at the Harn Museum

"Homage to Rembrandt" by Pedro Pablo Oliva (2000) 

My nephew Drew graduated from the University of Florida in December (summa cum laude, no less!) Of course I took advantage of the opportunity to visit UF's Harn Museum of Art while I was in town. I've been impressed with the Museum's offerings each time I've visited. The special exhibit featuring works by Cuban artists was of particular interest. Come April, I'm heading to Cuba on a cultural tour. My take-away from the exhibit is to expect the unexpected.

I was greeted by this crazy painting by Pedro Pablo Oliva. There is a lot going on here, and you can explore the detail by clicking on the image and expanding it. I especially like the tiny mustachioed figure at the bottom. The work is part of Oliva's series "The Artist and His Model." I wonder what Rembrandt would have thought about this homage. 

Oliva might be best known for his painting "The Great Blackout" (sometimes referred to as "The Cuban Guernica.") In the period from 1986-1990, Soviet subsidies to Cuba averaged $4.3B annually, slightly more than 20% of the country's GNP. With the collapse of the USSR, the Cuban economy collapsed as well. The deprivations included food and fuel shortages that continue to this day. In "The Great Blackout," Oliva imagines an underground refuge from war populated by people from all walks of life, including Castro himself. You can see the work by clicking here. And click here for a great interview with Oliva. 

"Give and Take" by Angel Ramirez and Belkis Ayon (1999)

I was intrigued by "Give and Take" by Angel Ramirez and Belkis Ayon. The work is a collograph print, a new medium to me. It's basically a collage of materials glued to a printing plate (often made of thin wood or cardboard) which is then inked and printed. I'd like to see one of these works created. 

And here's a fun fact. Ayon learned this unique printing technique from Ramirez while studying at the Academia San Alejandro in Havana. The relationship grew from that of student and teacher to collaborators. Ramirez has collaborated with many artists and believes the key to a successful partnership is communication. And that's exactly what's depicted in this image. 

In "Give and Take," the figure on the left (created by Ramirez) represents the European icon of St. George while the figure on the right (created by Ayon) represents an African-Abacua icon. The figures are sharing traditions of their respective religions with one another. At the feet of St. George is Aguana, a cosmic serpent god that represents the power of the universe. The Abacuan figure holds a chalice, a sacred vessel in the Catholic faith. The archways that frame the characters are representative of the religions of the other figure. Most significantly, the figures have outstretched hands, an indication of their openness to the beliefs and traditions of the other. For more on Ramirez, click here. And for more on Ayon, click here.  

"Maribel" by Sandra Ramos (1993)

I'll leave you with an etching by Sandra Ramos entitled "Maribel." The work made me smile with the thought bubble containing an image of two young girls on a stage ready to take their bows. But there's sadness lurking in the wings. The best friends will soon be separated when the girl on the right boards that plane and leaves Cuba for her new life in the United States. 

This work is personal to Ramos. Like Oliva's painting, "Maribel" was created in the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union. Many Cubans fled the island by whatever means available, often in makeshift rafts that have come to symbolize Cuban migration to the United States. Ramos' partner at the time decided to leave Cuba; Ramos opted to stay. Feelings of isolation, grief and loss overwhelmed her. 

"Maribel" features the Cuban Pioneer Girl, a character who appears in many of Ramos' works. She is an Alice in Wonderland-like girl who just happens to look a lot like the artist. The Pioneer Girl often finds herself in situations like this one that have a political context. I find Ramos' art captivating. To read an interview with her and to see more of her work, click here.

While "Under the Spell of the Palm Tree" has closed, there's a terrific exhibit by another Cuban artist on now at the Sarasota Art Museum. In "Embodied Memories, Ancestral Histories," Juana Valdes explores themes of identity and migration. The exhibit -- Valdes' first solo museum show -- is on display through February 11. Her video entitled "Rest Ashore" is particularly moving as it brings to life the dangers faced by Cubans who attempt to come to the United States by rafts and other precarious means. To see some still images from the video, click here. Docent tours are offered on Wednesdays and Fridays at 11 a.m. and are free with Museum admission. (Always take the tour!) For more information, click here. 

Thanks to the Harn for introducing me to the work of these artists. I'm looking forward to my trip to Havana more than ever.