The work of critically acclaimed Cuban artist Carlos Guzmán is on display at the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center through April.
One of Cuba’s most imaginative and creative contemporary painters, Guzmán combines fantasy and allegory in 22 otherworldly paintings and drawings. They will be exhibited until April 24 at the center of Islamorada.
Guzmán’s artistic vision is filled with dreamlike characters dressed in sumptuous costumes tinkering with strange technologies in a parallel universe. Each piece grips the viewer, inviting them into a world of fantasy and magic.
Represented in exhibitions around the world, Guzmán has participated in nearly 100 group and personal exhibitions. His creations are part of private and institutional collections in different countries. Among his most notable solo exhibitions are “The Magic of a Magic Instant” (Miami, 2013); “Change of tones in the work of Guzmán” (Paris, 2012); “Carlos Guzman” (Portugal, 2010); “Another dimension” (Saint-Martin, 2009); and “Sailing Your Nights” (Havana, 2007). In 2014, Guzmán was selected to represent Cuba for the first time at the fourth annual art camp, “Colors for the Planet”, organized by UNESCO in Andorra.
“I feel very honored and happy to be able to represent my country in this beautiful, commendable and interesting event in which I aspire to pronounce and defend our culture. It is an immense pride to be able to wear my creations in a country that knows little the true Cuban moral values of the culture and for me it is very important that it be recognized and admired,” Guzmán said.
The exhibit at the Keys History & Discovery Center was inspired by the artist’s wife and her battle with breast cancer. The art depicts their journey through cancer, treatment and recovery. Walking through the gallery, people will gather a new perspective and a new relationship with the work.
Just over 100 people attended an opening reception on January 20. The work is available for purchase. Coins range from $400 to $15,000. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to the Center for History and Discovery to fund future educational programs and exhibits.
In Cuba, Guzmán received the “Raúl Martínez” National Illustration Award in 2011. His work was selected for the imagery of the 31st International Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana. He has also participated in several iterations of the Havana Biennial and Subasta Habana.
His work can be found in private collections and museums around the world, including Austria, Germany, Monaco, United Kingdom, South Africa, Russia, Portugal, Basque Country, Brazil, Mexico , Guadeloupe, Venezuela, Spain, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Slovakia, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, France, Netherlands and the United States.
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