The work of critically acclaimed Cuban artist Carlos Guzmán is coming to the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center.
One of Cuba’s most imaginative and creative contemporary painters, Carlos Guzmán, combines fantasy and allegory in 22 otherworldly paintings and drawings. They’ll be on display from Jan. 20 to April 24 at the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada. An opening reception will be held Thursday, Jan. 20 from 6-8:30 p.m. during this month’s Art Walk on Morada Way. Park and ride the Freebee to attend both events. The exhibit will be available in both Spanish and English.
Guzmán’s work defies the Laws of Nature, ignoring the barriers of time and space to create a unique artistic version filled with dreamlike figures in lavish costumes tinkering with strange technologies in a parallel universe. Each piece grabs the viewer, inviting them into a world of whimsy and magic.
Represented in original and daring exhibitions around the world, Guzmán has participated in almost 100 collective and personal expositions. His creations are included in important private and institutional collections in different countries. Among his most notable solo exhibitions are “The Magic of a Magic Instant” (Miami, 2013); “Changement des tons dans l’auvre de Guzmán” (Paris, 2012); “Carlos Guzmán” (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 lovely, praiseworthy and interesting event in which I aspire to pronounce and hold up our culture. It is an immense pride to be able to carry my creations to a country that knows little of the Cuban genuine moral values of culture and that for me is of great importance that she be acknowledged and admired,” said Guzmán.
Within Cuba, Guzmán has received the National Illustration Award “Raúl Martínez” in 2011. His work was selected for the imagery for 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, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Russia, Portugal, the Basque Country, Brazil, Mexico, Guadalupe, Venezuela, Spain, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Slovakia, Trinidad & Tobago, Panama, France, the Netherlands, and the United States.
