VIREDO At Maxoly Art Cuba Gallery

Maxoly Art Cuba Gallery is proud to present: Viredo, the Artist and his Work, 50 Aniversario de los Once (50th Anniversary of The Eleven), on view from August 29th to September 22nd, 2003.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Mariano Sanchez
Beard Publishing, Inc.
Santa Ana, California
(800) 400-2990

IMAGES OF WORK:
http://www.marquesv.com/LosOnceposter2003.jpg

IMAGES OF ARTIST:
http://www.marquesv.com/MaestroViredo.jpg

VIREDO At Maxoly Art Cuba Gallery

Miami, FL, Maxoly Art Cuba Gallery is proud to present: Viredo, the Artist and his Work, 50 Aniversario de los Once (50th Anniversary of The Eleven), on view from August 29th to September 22nd, 2003.

On the 50th Anniversary of "The Group of Eleven", a group of dissident Cuban painters, Viredo, one of only three remaining artists, celebrates their history through his colorful paintings. These carry the elements of a storyteller (sometimes derivative of Picasso's Guernica) and of an identity rooted in particular circumstances: the colorful people of his childhood with their African roots, the political upheaval and eventual exile from his homeland and the theatricality of his adopted city, Los Angeles, home of movie stars and make-believe.

"On looking at the paintings of Viredo Espinosa I feel compelled to break into a dance...to the Cuban beat!" says Donna Westerman, an Art Professor at Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, California. She continues: "The first impact is one of color. Here is where the strong emotional content lies. It is balanced, lyrical and...composed. The elements of the composition are skillfully counter pointed, exuding a playful musicality. The eye can move around and explore the many references to the land, the sky, the sea and the human presence within..."

Much of what Viredo paints comes from the complex Afro-Cuban culture of his childhood in Regla. Viredo does not claim to be an expert on this culture, but rather just a witness to what he experienced as a young man. "In my art," he states, "I try to communicate my amazement at the diversity of humankind that I see around me. Sometimes I try to show the relationship between music and the visual arts. Other times I try to pay homage to the great artists of the past. I always return to the rich canvas of my childhood where so many elements blended together in so many colors and sounds."

Viredo has received the recognition he had long deserved through commendations from the U.S. House of Representatives, and other national and local awards for his service to the community.

The Maxoly Art Cuba Gallery invites you to meet this great artist in person during the Artist Reception on Friday August 29, 2003 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. where he will be happy to autograph your copy of his book. It will be an unforgettable experience to meet one of the three living artists from the original "Grupo los Once". A group of talented artists who first came together 50 years ago. The gallery is located at 1600 SW 8th St., in the city of Miami, FL. For additional information please visit Viredo's web site: www.viredo.com or call the gallery at: 305.631.0025. For a personal interview with the artist or if you'd like to extend an invitation to exhibit his work, please call Mariano Sanchez at Beard Publishing, Inc., in Santa Ana, California 800.400.2990.

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