Cuban Overture: The Other Side of the Mirror with Daniel Martínez
We are excited to bring the work of Cuban photographer, Daniel Martínez to the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts for this look at Cuba from the Inside. The work in this exhibition, curated by Cuban author and arts advocate, Juan Carlos Mejías, presents an introduction or overture to Cuba, not the tourists view we are so accustomed to, but Cuba through the lens of a Cuban Photographer. These images provide a Cuban perspective, revealing dreams, ambitions and frustrations that are part of the daily experience for Cubans.
Daniel’s work has recently been recognized by MOMA, used in Vogue magazine and will be featured in an upcoming NYC exhibition.
– David DeMelim
Managing Director
Opening Reception: August 18th 5:00 – 8:00pm
On View: Thursday, August 18th, thru Friday, September 9th, 2022
Free and Open to the Public
Opening Reception August 18th, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI
This exhibition will be presented in tandem with Cuba in Parallel featuring Cuban, Adrián Juan Espinosa & American, Paul M. Murray
Cuban Overture: The Other Side of the Mirror 360˚
About: Daniel Martínez
Based in Camagüey, Cuba, Daniel Martinez Reyes focuses on portraiture and conceptual photography with strong visual impact and a palpable emotional content. Using light, color, and contrasts, he takes calculated risks to engage the viewer. His outgoing and creative nature has allowed him to work with others exploring various themes and compositions, experimenting, and moving beyond his comfort zone.
While mostly self-taught, Daniel’s work reflects many of the thematic and visual aspects of several distinguished photographers including Antoine D`Agata, Annie Leibovitz, Robert Mapplethorpe, Andrés Serrano, Cirenaica Moreira, and René Peña, among others.
Even though his career is in its early years, Daniel’s work has enjoyed some notable successes with selected works published in Vogue Italia magazine in 2020 and an online acknowledgement from New York City’s Museum of Modern Art in 2022. Additionally, he has exhibited in Cuba, the United States, and other international and online venues, and has earned numerous awards. His work is part of private collections in the United States, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, and Germany.
Curator’s statement – Juan Carlos Mejías
Daniel Martínez is a young (Cuban born) artist who stands out for his tenacity and spirit of experimentation, important conditions for anyone who wishes to approach art seriously. His works are a reflection of much of what he has obtained from previous masters, but apart from these necessary and recognized influences, he seeks his personal stamp, which does not prevent the models, ordinary people, from also telling their own stories. The artist selects different environments and creates constructions that try to delve into the psychology of the subject, sometimes in situations of certain helplessness or pressure, and at the same time reflects his own in a contemporary society, with all its challenges and contradictions. Sometimes the discourse takes place through nudity-a nudity that, although it does not reject a certain erotic subtlety, justifies itself with the naturalness with which we are born clothed in that flesh and skin over our bones-and other times through the gesture or the unrepeatable exclusivity of a glance.
Cuban Overture* is a visual concert, with its own rhythm, tonalities and nuances, the door that must be opened to the public to learn about the sensitivity of this novel creator and from the other side of the mirror, to Daniel, to show the result of his work of these early times, a stage in which he has achieved the recognition of important cultural icons such as MOMA and VOGUE magazine, some of these photos are part of this exhibition, but it could be any of the others, given the quality sustained in the whole set of images.
– M. Sc Juan Carlos Mejías Ruíz
*With full intention, I have borrowed the title of a work by George Gershwin.
About: Juan Carlos Mejías Ruiz
A resident and native of Camagüey, Juan Carlos Mejías Ruiz has worked as a specialist at the Provincial Council of Plastic Arts of Camagüey (CPAP) since 2004, as curator researching, promoting, and organizing of visual arts projects. Currently, he is CPAP’s president supporting the realization of different creative projects and collaborating to promote the work of artists in traditional media and social networks.
He has curated and organized more than one hundred exhibitions, some of them outside Cuba. He is well-known as a communicator and promoter of the visual arts in his city, but he constantly travels with exhibitions to various parts of the island, where he has created a large group of professional relationships.
Notably, Juan Carlos works with Fototeca de Cuba in Havana to extend their “Photographic November” event to Camagüey, where every year the participation of Cuban photographers and those from different countries such as the United States, Australia, Spain, Mexico, Italy, and Finland grows.
Juan Carlos Mejías Ruiz: Full Bio
Unframed prints are available starting at $295 plus shipping and handling. Framing is also available, contact the gallery at gallery@riphotocenter.org for more information or to place your order.
“Cuban Overture: The Other Side of the Mirror” Walk through virtual gallery
The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, RICPA
Located in the heart of Providence, RICPA was founded to inspire creative development and provide opportunities to engage with the community through exhibitions, education, publication, and mutual support.
RICPA exists to create a diverse and supportive community for individuals interested in learning or working in Photographic Arts. We strive to provide an environment conducive to the free exchange of ideas in an open and cooperative space. Members should share a passion for creating, appreciating, or learning about all forms of photo-based media. We work to provide a platform for artistic expression, that fosters dialogue and drives innovation in the photographic arts.
The Gallery at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts is a member of Gallery Night Providence Gallery Night
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