Tag Archives: contemporary art

Dec 10 2015
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Art, Caribbean, Painting

Complex and Intuitive Voodoo Symbols

‘La Metres Sirene’ oil on board by Hector Hyppolite
‘Maitresse Congo’, oil on masonite by Hector Hyppolite

Hector Hyppolite (1894-1948) is a legendary artist of Haiti, known for his complex, intuitive paintings. He used chicken feathers, his fingers and brushes to create his master pieces, which have a free and bold style. He did most of his work during the last three years of his live, where at the Centre D’Art in Port-au-Prince he produced between 250 and 600 paintings. Only about 100 of these have been located today.

Hector Hyppolite - The Siren - 1946, American Folk art, Milwaukee Museum of Art, Milwaukee, Wisconsin‘The Siren’ by Hector Hyppolite, Milwaukee Museum of Art

Being a third generation Voodoo priest, most of his paintings depict his religious convictions. He shows us voodoo gods that are crude and ugly and combines these with a warm palette that add to the expressive powers of his images. His heroes are reincarnations of Voodoo spirits (Loas); his empty backgrounds symbolize the beyond; his flowers are metaphors of perpetual life; his birds refer to the supernatural world; and the hypnotic eyes of his subjects evoke the serpent eyes of Damballah.

Maitresse Erzuline by Hector Hyppolite‘Maitresse Erzulie’ by Hector Hyppolite

He is collected and has been exhibited around the world, including the Musee d’Art Haitien du College Saint Pierre in Port-au-Prince, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Smithsonian Institution, the Milwaukee Museum of Art, and the Museum of Everything in London.

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Dec 07 2015
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Art, Caribbean, Painting

The Imaginary World of Jorge Severino

Jorge Severino - Debut en sociedad di mi prima Cleotilde. Oil and acrylic on linen.

When he started exhibiting his paintings in the mid-sixties, Jorge Severino from the Dominican Republic didn’t have a clue to what he was doing. Reviewing Severino’s first exhibition in 1966, art critic Contín Aybar commented that “the ten paintings could easily have been created by six different artists. There is no common style in them”. So when Severino sold his first painting for $75, he was astonished that people would even pay for his work. Nowadays his paintings are hard to come by and cost $12,500 or more.

By Jorge Cuartas
‘Do you like Klimt’ by Jorge Severino. Silkscreen
From the ‘Morena’ series by Jorge Severino. Oil and acrylics on linen.

Severino came to his own when he started painting black woman in luxury dresses. Using mostly a combination of oil and acrylics and never an easel, these black society women are decorated with over the top jewelry, silk dresses and red flowers. They stare defiantly at their observers.

Jorge Severino - 'Tía Gertrudis que era amante de Toulouse, haciendo antesala en el Moulin Rouge'. Oil and arylics on linen.

Severino is a representative of the magical realism movement, to which Gabriel García Márquez also belonged. His paintings are based on an imaginary photo album found in the attic with written indications in the margins about the Tia Clotilde in Paris, and the Tio Roque at the Prado Museum in Madrid. Severino uses this family to mock the megalomaniac fantasies of middle and upper classes of the Caribbean.

Jorge Severino 'Prima Johanna posando para Hector Baez'. Oil and acrylics on linen

His brilliance not only lies in transforming the perception of black women’s reality, but also in adding surrealistic elements to his paintings. Look for floating keys, football goal posts, or red fishes swimming in the air as part of his decorations.

Jorge Severino’s paintings have been shown in Europe, Latin America and the United States. He has won several international prizes for his paintings and is considered one of the Master Artists of the Dominican Republic.

Paintings used in this article:

  1. ‘Debut en sociedad di mi prima Cleotilde’, Jorge Severino. Oil and acrylic on linen.
  2. ‘Do you like Klimt’, Jorge Severino. Silkscreen.
  3. ‘Morena’, Jorge Severino.
  4. ‘Tía Gertrudis que era amante de Toulouse, haciendo antesala en el Moulin Rouge’, Jorge Severino. Oil and arylics on linen
  5. ‘Prima Johanna posando para Hector Baez’ by Jorge Severino. Oil and acrylics on linen.
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Dec 05 2015
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Art, Caribbean, Painting

Pioneer of Positive Black Imagery

Untitled acrylic on canvas by Jennifer Lewis "Pepperstone".

Jennifer Lewis (1966-2012) aka Louie Pepperstone created a contemporary, powerful vision of the identity of black Caribbean women. Starting in the late eighties, when positive Afro-Caribbean imagery was not so readily available as today, she pioneered in combining the vibrant, natural colors of her native country Saint Vincent with African themes. The results were portraits of women that empowered black people around the world.

‘Full Moon’. Acrylic on canvas by Jennifer Lewis “Pepperstone”.
‘Guidance’. Acrylic on canvas by Jennifer Lewis “Pepperstone”.

She grew up in London where she studied Jewelry Design at Central St. Martins. Her work was exhibited in several galleries in London and in the Caribbean. The colors, textures, history, religion, and folklore of Africa and the Caribbean were her inspiration. On her canvases she used acrylics, watercolor, relief, print and collage, woven with gold and silver leaf. Most of her work today is in private collections.

‘The Conversation’. Acrylic on canvas by Jennifer Lewis “Pepperstone”.
‘Turquoise’ Acrylic on canvas by Jennifer Lewis “Pepperstone”.
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Dec 04 2015
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Art, Caribbean, Painting

The Joy of Vibrant Colors

‘Girl with the Thousand Yard Stare’ by Esther Griffith. Oil on Canvas.
‘Heavy’ by Esther Griffith. Oil on Canvas.

Esther Griffith really likes her colors. Using layer upon layer of paint she creates rich, deep, vibrant and expressive colors. Greens and reds are her favorites. “I enjoy using oils”, says Griffith. “They create beautiful, unexpected effects.”

‘Escape’ by Esther Griffith. Watercolor.
‘Indomitable’ by Esther Griffith. Watercolor.

She was born and lives in Trinidad, where she studied Visual Arts at the University of West Indies at St. Augustine. Most of her paintings are portraits, which she shows like masks, resulting in a delightful contrast of hyper realism and abstraction. “I love experimenting with color, form and texture to produce unique effects”, says Griffith. “My paintings are inspired by the vivid features of nature, the earth and its surface.”

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Dec 03 2015
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Art, Caribbean, Painting

Contemporary Classical Art

‘Armelle’ (1997) by Elizabeth Colomba. Oil on canvas.
‘The Storm’ by Elizabeth Colomba.

Inspired by the Old Masters, contemporary painter Elizabeth Colomba (b1973) shows black people in classical settings. Using iconography as a tool, she re-interprets history while at the same time challenging and exploring issues of identity.

Of Martinique descendant, Elizabeth Colomba, was born and raised in Paris. She was classically trained at the Auguste Renoir, the Estienne School of Art and the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. She uses both oil and watercolors.

‘the Book’ (2003) by Eilizabeth Colomba. Oil on canvas.
‘The Missive’ (2006) by Elizabeth Colomba. Oil on canvas.

She deliberately chooses a classical context to make her paintings look and feel historical. Her theme however, is very modern. Historically black people in art have been portrayed either as anonymous, less-than-human entities or playing banjos in raggedy clothes, smiling meekly at an absent observer.

Colomba’s paintings change that. She inserts black individuals into classical settings and re-interprets their place in history. Her paintings redefine how black people have been conditioned to exist, and how they have been conditioned to reflect upon themselves.

‘Phillis’ (2010) by Elizabeth Colomba. Oil on canvas.
‘Seated’ (1997) by Elizabeth Colomba. Oil on canvas panel

Elizabeth Colomba has exhibited her paintings in Los Angeles, New York City and Switzerland. As a visual artist she has contributed to feature films like Romeo and Juliet, One Hour Photo, Jesse James and A Single Man.

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Dec 02 2015
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Art, Caribbean, Painting

Bohemian Women

‘La Mujer Rota’ by Ramón Unzueta
‘Esperando’ by Ramón Unzueta
‘La Flaca’ by Ramón Unzueta

Ramón Unzueta (1962-2012) painted women who smoked, laid around, and were brokenhearted, seductive, happy or sad. But no matter how he portrayed his bohemian women, they all had their big, watery eyes in common, just like his favorite actress Bette Davis. Unzueta’s women never look defeated, they stare into your face ready to fight for a better life.

Ramón Unzueta was born in Havana, Cuba and attended the National School of Applied Arts. In 1992 he became a resident of Spain. Besides his portraits of women he is mainly known as an illustrator of children’s books and for his illustrations and cartoons in several magazines.

Bookcover ‘Caballo del Desierto’ by Olga Marta Pérez. Illustrated by Ramón Valdez
Bookcover ‘Los Aretes de la Luna’ by Zoé Valdés. Illustrated by Ramón Unzueta
Bookcover ‘Los Conejos son Azules’ by Isabel Pijeira. Illustrated by Ramón Unzueta

His style can best be described as surrealistic and magical. His works have been exhibited in galleries and museums in Europe and the United States, including the Flores Carbonell Collection.

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Nov 30 2015
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Art, Caribbean, Painting

A Mixture of Africa and Europe

‘Day Dream’ by Michael Escoffery. Oil on paper.
‘Cassandra in Prayer’ – Michael Escoffery. Oil on paper.
‘ From my Garden’ by Michael Escoffery

Jamaican born and USA stationed Michael Escoffery was voted one of the ‘100 Most Influential Caribbean Americans’ in 2012 , but when it comes to his art he remains humble. “It’s not good for an artist to speak too much about his work”, says Escoffery. “Let the work speak  for the artist.”

His parents introduced him to painting at a very young age, prompting Escoffery to say: “I have always been an artist, conceived by artists and born an artist”. He was formed in that typical Caribbean mixture of Africa and Europe, an influence that is still visible in his work, where he merges his cultural heritage with modern art.

‘Circle of Love’ by Michael Escoffery
Untitled by Michael Escoffery
‘Table for Two’ by Michael Escoffery

Michael Escoffery’s style is not easily defined. He combines abstract-realism with expressionism, cubism and iconography. He takes his inspiration from his heritage, the Caribbean people, and from the female form. “A work of art should reveal something new to the viewer each time it is seen”, says Escoffery.

His art has been exhibited in over 200 solo exhibitions and over 300 group shows worldwide. His work has been included in over 100 books worldwide. He is considered outspoken, controversial, but sensitive to his position and responsibilities as an artist. “To be an artist demands great courage.”

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Nov 29 2015
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Art, Caribbean, Painting

Thick Lips: Jean Girigori’s Trademark

Untitled – Jean Girigori.
‘Woman in Blue’ – Jean Girigori.
‘Bendidora di Amor’ (2005) – Jean Girigori. Acrylic on canvas.

Jean Girigori is one of the leading painters of the Caribbean. Her work is colorful, vibrant and joyous, her Expressionist-Naive style unique. She was born at sea, lived in the Dominican Republic during her childhood, and settled by way of Haiti on Curaçao, the country of  origin of her grandparents.

Women and women’s rights play a central role in Jean Girigori’s paintings. Her big eyed subjects look accusing into the world, denouncing social injustice just as much as enjoying life. The thick lips of her women are her trademark. These lips used to be  opened in her earlier paintings, but nowadays are almost always shut. In her interviews Jean Girigori always emphasizes the great contribution women make in their Caribbean community.

Jean Girigori has been exhibited around the Caribbean, in the United States and in the Netherlands.

‘Cargando la Suerte’ (2009) – Jean Girigori.
‘Niña Hormiga’ (2011) – Jean Girigori. Acrylic on Canvas
Untitled by Jean Girigori
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Nov 25 2015
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Art, Caribbean, Painting, Puerto Rico Gallery

Wichie Torres loves his Quijotes

Quijote by Wichie Torres. Acrylic on paper
Quijote de la Esperanza by Wichie Torres

Wichie Torres is a prolific painter who uses vibrant, intense colors and a short brush stroke. He is known as a Costumbrista for his depiction of the people, the landscapes and the culture of Puerto Rico. 

Don Quijote is one of his favorite themes. Throughout the years he has painted Quijotes in all colors and flavors. The paintings emphasize Quijote’s mustache and beard, just like the book  by Miguel de Cervantes did.

Quijote Desafiante by Wichie Torres
Quijote by Wichie Torres

Some of Wichie Torres’ paintings can be seen at the Museo de Arte de Ponce; The Museum of Contemporary Art in San Juan; The Museum of History, Anthropology and Art at the University of Puerto Rico’s; and at the Puerto Rico Museum of Art.

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Nov 24 2015
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Art, Caribbean, Painting, Puerto Rico Gallery

Augusto Marín: versatile Puertorican Artist

‘El Cuartista’ (1960) by Augusto Marín (1921-21011).
‘Siempre la Limosna’ (1963) by Augusto Marín (1921-21011).
‘Pareja de Burros’ (1971) by Augusto Marín (1921-21011).

Augusto Marín (1921-2011) was a painter, draftsman, print maker, muralist, sculptor, stained-glass artist, and teacher. He covered expressionism, cubism and social-realism in his paintings. He is best described as a versatile contemporary artist.

Marín participated in the ‘Artistic Generation of the 1950s‘, a populist visual arts movement whose goal was to create images that affirmed the Puertorican identity.

His murals can be seen around Puerto Rico, for example at the Department of Housing building and the Fine Arts Center. His work can also be admired in several museums, including the Centro de Bellas Artes in Puerto Rico; the Museum of Contemporary Art in Puerto Rico; and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

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