UB Art Gallery presents Layers: Collecting Cuban-American Art

Exhibition Explores the Influence of Cultural Identities on Collectors and Artists

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Layers: Collecting Cuban-American Art comprises work from two private and one institutional collection to illustrate how collecting art involves the negotiation of identities. The exhibition will open at UB Art Gallery, Center for the Arts, in the first and second floor galleries, with a reception on Sunday, June 11, 2006, 4:00 - 7:00 PM.

Cuban jazz pianist and 2005 JUNO Award Winner, Hilario Durán, who is from Havana, Cuba and lives in Toronto, will perform from 5:00 to 6:00 PM the night of the opening. UB Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday 11 AM to 6 PM, with extended hours on Thursday until 7 PM. For information, please call 716-645-6912. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will be on view through September 7, 2006.

Layers: Collecting Cuban-American Art combines the private collections of Lynnette Bosch and Jorge Gracia and a collection from Lehigh University Art Galleries, inviting the viewer to explore the impulses that inspire art collecting. Bosch's collection includes works in diverse media, but reflects her interests as art historian on the influence of the baroque on Cuban-American art. Gracia's collection emphasizes painting, and relates to his philosophical work on social group identity and personal interests.

The collection of photography-based art from Lehigh University, compiled by Ricardo Viera, reveals Viera's interests as an artist, art historian and curator. Layers brings together the works of representative members of different waves of exiled Cuban-born artists who have immigrated to the United States since 1959, during Fidel Castro's rule of the island. The arriving groups include artists who came as adults, artists who came as children and adolescents, and a new group of Cuban American artists of Cuban ancestry born in this country. The relationships and interactions between these groups are complex and diverse. Yet, joining all is a sense of shared, diverse, and divided identity, split between their Cuban and American sides, along with their experience of exile, the defining element in all of their lives.

A 48-page catalog with 15 full-color plates, an essay by exhibition coordinator Lynette M. F. Bosch, and a foreword by Jorge J. E. Gracia, accompanies the exhibition. Layers is a component of the academic conference Negotiating Identities in Art, Literature and Philosophy: Cuban Americans and American Culture to be held as part of the NEH Summer Seminar for College and University teachers.

The conference is organized by Jorge Gracia, Samuel P. Capen Chair and SUNY distinguished Professor in the UB Department of Philosophy in conjunction with the Humanities Institute and UB Art Gallery.
More information on the seminar, as well as images of artwork from the exhibition and select interviews with artists can be found at: www.philosophy.buffalo.edu/NEH06/index.html.
The UB Art Gallery is funded by the UB College of Arts and Sciences, the Visual Arts Building Fund, the Seymour H. Knox Foundation Fine Arts Fund, and the Fine Arts Center Endowment.  Visit the UB Art Galleries website: ubartgalleries.buffalo.edu.

Comments

[Jose Acosta]

I would like to thank you for exhibiting the Art of John Hultberg. He was a great Artist, Teacher & Friend. I see his influence in other artist and know that he also influenced my work and was a great teacher, very knowledgable in all media and willing to share. I hope this world would have more artist like him.

Thanks Jose Acosta

[Jose Acosta]

I would love to see more shows with local Cuban-American artist included. Our area has many great Cuban-American artist that I am sure would be glad to participate.

Thanks Jose Acosta

[Jose Acosta]

I am a Cuban/American Artist Born in San Jose Cuba 1966 and presently living in New York I would like to invite everyone to my Solo Show. Jose Acosta Art Extravaganza

Opening Reception Saturday, May 17, 2008
From 5-8 p.m. at G.A.S. (Gallery And Studio)
Please join us for our Art Exhibition.
We will also have great Cuban Food, Drinks and
Music by "La Orquesta de Los Taino"
196 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Tel 845-486-4592 www.galleryandstudio.org
Art Extravaganza Art Show till June 15, 2008
Gallery Open Friday - Sunday 12-6 p.m.

[Jose Acosta]

I just wanted to let everyone know that my art work "Staying Alive" has been
acquired by the University of Pennsylvania Art Collection and will be displayed on campus.It is a great honor to be in such a prestige's Art Collection and I am even more excited then when the World Bank Art Program bought all my art at the International Caribbean Art Fair last Year. I love the Energy of all Universities & College campus and I am thrilled that my work will be seen by the young students of today and future leaders of tomorrow.
Cuban American Artist Jose Acosta.

[Jose Acosta]

Jose Acosta Presents Cuban American Paintings and Sculptures
also Music by La Orquesta de los Taino.

Save the Date Saturday, May 16, 2009, from 5PM to 8PM.

Jose Acosta will have a Solo Show of paintings and sculptures on view at G.A.S. (Gallery And Studio) at 196 Main Street Poughkeepsie NY 12601. There will be paintings and sculptures representing everything of beauty from Landscapes, Still Life and Imaginary Worlds full of Music and Dance. The Paintings are vibrant, colorful and full of energy.

La Orquesta de Los Taino will once again entertain us with their fabulous music and magnificent sound.

Cuban American and Italian food will be served buffet style come early to enjoy all the specialty dishes. Refreshments will also be served.

This is a Free event that Jose Acosta and his family, has created so the whole community can attend and enjoy beautiful Art, Spanish Music & Excellent Food.

Opening Event with Music on May 16, 2009, Exhibition of paintings and sculptures will be at G.A.S. until June 14, 2009 Gallery Hours 12-6PM, Fri - Sat -

The Art Collection of Jose & Orsola Acosta will be shown in the back gallery of G.A.S. during this show the following artist work will be displayed.

Alicea De La Campa, Ana Cifuentes, Antonio Melero Perez, Bill Rybak, Bronson Eden, Bruce Anderson, Emil Malich, Eric Vanwinkle, Franc Palaia, Francesco Clemente, Frank S. Dorsay, Fred Woller, Hector Tayara, Hendrik Dijk, Janka Pestova Sykorova, Joanne Klein, John Hultberg, John Sowley, Joyceanne Wlodarczyk, Judith Singer, Kevin Green, Lynn Fliegel, Michael Asbill, Michael Sibilia, Michael X Rose, Moses Soyer, Patrick Wing, Robert Graham, Roberto Fabello, Steven Ettinger, Yakira Gonzalez.

[Jose Acosta]

Jose Acosta was one of 3 Artists chosen to participate in an exhibition COLORS hosted by NY Book Expo at The Queens Museum of Art on October 2nd and 3rd, 2009

Jose Acosta, Marianne Sagbinni and Hugo Sandoval exhibited at the Queens Museum of Art. The opening festival was quite grand with many guest and VIPs attending. NY Book Expo and the Queens Museum of Art did a great job setting up the exhibition. The guest enjoyed great food and wine, also live entertainment by Stephanie Garay and Nilko Andreas.

Amir Parsa was the Keynote Speaker who gave a wonderful speech and story that ended with "I do not speak English" and Jacqueline Donado the founder of NY Book Fair Expo created a wonderful event enjoyed by all who participated and attended the event.

A special recognition to Jorge Ivan Mora for his contribution in the selection of the Artists for the exhibition and his input on the exhibition catalog. COLORS exhibition catalog was published by NY Book Expo and the Queens Museum of Art.