Alexi Torres Alonso
September 27, 1976
Matanzas, Cuba
Studio:
Tula Art Center
75 Bennett Street, Suite G2, Atlanta, GA, 30309
My earlier works have been the result of my inspiration regarding my life experiences. My creations and ideas are the combination of universal problems and the reflection of certain established ideas that I have witnessed. Most of my art had been inspired out of protest regarding the political and social circumstances that exist in my homeland, Cuba. Many of my exhibitions were prohibited and censured by the Communist government.
Upon arrival in the United States, for the first time in my life, I was able to read, study, and speak freely upon any subject. This uplifting change has brought about the fusion between my current experiences and my Latin-Cuban culture in terms of the way I see humanity. My paintings are profound and in search of my new responsibility with my growing experiences, open-minded with the society and globe as one; yet now they are paintings without pain that draw from the most beautiful part of humanity. Currently my works are inspired by wisdom and philosophy throughout the ages, projecting into the future, expressing the responsibility of now.
Current Series: "Reconstructing The Classics"
This series is an answer to my own appreciation of the world's needs. I reconstruct iconic images that represent both classic and modern times from all branches of human development, including the arts, politics, science, education and military. I create this by changing the context and integrity of the initial forms into ecological, fragile, ephemeral and natural elements; in this case, leaves and weaving.
These basic, earthly elements are natural and readily available. They are sincere, yet complex in their simplicity. The intricate patterns and details in the paintings are necessary to show the fulfillment that we find in basic organic elements. This way the canvas paintings act in the viewers' consciences, creating a reflection in the way in which people absorb my work. Remaking classic images, such as an historic moment or icon that is well-known, while changing the whole concept, transmits a fresh and direct message-- to be as human and more interconnected as one, weaving ourselves to create forms in all kinds of designs, I moderate and soften the movement and actions of violence, making casual images in a unique piece become vulnerable and peaceful.
For my continuous comprehension of the world, I have the need to continue creating in hopes of benefiting civilization while being responsible with my message in the current times. I still find myself in each painting and am aware of creating a necessary message; which is to be conscious of living, critical thinking, and feeling art.
1996 - 2004 Member of the Hermanos Saíz Association..
2001 - 2004 Member of UNEAC (Cuban Association of Artists)
Education:
1989-1991 Elemental School of Modern Art, Matanzas, Cuba.
1991-1995 National School of Arts, Havana, Cuba.
Personal Solo Exhibtions:
1990 Gallery Nueva Paz, Havana, Cuba.
1998 Hotel Bella Costa, Varadero, Cuba.
1999 Hotel Meliá, Varadero, Cuba.
2001 Hotel Arenas Doradas, Varadero, Cuba.
2002 "Alarma" Provincial Center of Visual Arts, Matanzas, Cuba.
2003 "Estribos" Provincial Center of Visual Arts, Matanzas, Cuba.
2003 "Protegiendome" Provincial Center of Visual Arts, Matanzas, Cuba.
Group Exhibitions:
1990 National Salon of Modern Arts, Havana, Cuba.
1995 - 2003 Provincial Salon of Modern Art “Roberto Diago”, Matanzas, Cuba..
1996 International Salon “Academia 96” Havana, Cuba.
1997 Landscape Salon Gallery “Arte, Sol y Mar”, Varadero, Cuba.
1998: “Puentes a la luz”. Center of Visual Arts, Matanzas, Cuba.
1998 “Nuestro vino de plátano, aunque amargo, es nuestro vino”. Cultural House, ‘’Bonifacio Byrne’’, Matanzas, Cuba.
1998 “El Arte Cubano”, II National Salon of UNEAC. Matanzas, Cuba..
1998 “Génesis”, Provincial Salon Hermano Saíz, Matanzas, Cuba..
1998 “Mi cabeza y yo”. National Colloquial of Plastic Arts of Hermanos Saíz. Matanzas, Cuba.
1999 “X Motivos”, Puentes Group, Provincial Gallery of Arts, Matanzas, Cuba.
1999, 2000“El camino más corto”. Provincial Gallery of Arts, Matanzas, Cuba..
2000“La Consagración de la nada”. Center of Visual Art Development, Habana, Cuba.
2000 “Salón de Paisaje’’, Gallery “Arte, Sol y Mar”, Varadero, Cuba.
2000 West-End Gallery with Lam Group,.Hollywood, Florida, USA.
2000 International Salon 2000, Varadero, Cuba.
2000 “Reencuentros’’, 60th Anniversary of the School of Arts, Matanzas, Cuba.
2000 "Otra Isla’’, Provincial Center of Visual Arts, Matanzas, Cuba.
2001 “Sin Título”, Provincial Center of Visual Arts, Matanzas, Cuba.
2001 "Pintores Cubanos", Gora Gallery, Montreal ,Canada.
2001- 2002 "El Camino Mas Corto", Center of Development of Visual Arts, .Matanzas, Cuba.
2002 "Mapa Conceptual" UNEAC Gallery, Matanzas,Cuba.
2002 "Praxis" Center of Visual Arts, .Matanzas, Cuba.
2002 "Papeles de la Isla" Couturier Gallery, Los Angeles, USA.
2002 "Salon Nacional de Dibujo" Provincial Center of Visual Arts, Matanzas, Cuba.
2002 "Paradisos Artificiales"Provincial Center of Visual Arts, Matanzas, Cuba.
2002 "El Paradigma y Las Nueces"Provincial Center of Visual Arts, Matanzas, Cuba.
2003 "Mis Cartas Para Elpidio" Bipersonal with Yampiel Baez Provincial Center of Visual Arts, Matanzas, Cuba.
2004 N.Y. Art Festival, Miami, Florida USA
2004 Naomy Silva Gallery, .Atlanta, Georgia USA
2004 Diaz Company Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia USA
Awards:
1990: Honors Graduation from the National School of Arts. Havana, Cuba.
1996 and 2000: Grand Prize for the Landscape Exhibition. “Arte, Sol y Mar” Art Gallery , Varadero, Cuba.
1998: Second Place “Génesis” Hermanos Salon Saíz Association Art Gallery Havana,Cuba.
2000: Honorable Mention Landscape Salon , Varadero Art Gallery, Varadero ,Cuba.
2000: Second Place “Roberto Diago”. Provincial Salon of Visual Arts. Matanzas, Cuba.
2002: Grand Prize" Mapa Conceptual"Matanzas Cuba.
2004: Grand Prize "N.Y.Art Festival,Miami Florida USA.
Publications
La Aurora Magazine 1999, Volume 1, article and photos, 51-52.
IFQ magazine 2004, Vol. 6, article and photo, page 55.
IFQ magazine 2004, Vol. 7, Grand Prize photo, page 59.
Press Release August 2004. Naomi Silva Gallery Review.
Collections
Cuba.
Australia.
USA.
Germany.
Portugal.
Luxembourg.
Mexico.
England.
Spain
Canada
