Rafael Domenech solo show "Middle Ground" at Armory Art Center

Aug. 31, 2010 - PRLog -- (West Palm Beach---)  In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Armory Art Center is pleased to present “Middle Ground” a solo show featuring young Cuban artist  Rafael Carrillo Alejandro Domenech  from September 10 -   October 22, 2010.  “Middle Ground” includes paintings and video installations reflecting the young artist’s transition from Cuba to his new adopted country. The series will be unveiled during an opening reception, sponsored by Whole Foods on September 10th, from 6-8 pm.

When Domenech arrived in the US four months ago, he brought his paintings, dreams of freedom and a desire to help his newly adopted community.  The paintings featured closed doors, wire fences and deteriorated buildings, reflecting the state of the society he lived in.  Rafael’s first US paintings entitled “American Series “carried freshly engrained memories of his experiences in Cuba.

“Middle Ground” explores Rafael’s present transition between his two worlds.    He continues to build on the memories from the Havana streets, while experiencing his new American surroundings.  His current paintings reflect his new urban environment -  the signs, the graffiti and even the scratches on the walls are included. Influenced by the graffiti artists of the 80’s, Rafael aims to create a dialogue which focuses on the grittiness and noise of urbanism created by man.  

“My work used to show a city where only doors and fences existed.  “Middle Ground” represents my new experiences—the transition between closed doors and open doors.  I like to drive through the city and the expressways --- I stop the car and listen to my surroundings.  I then capture that feeling and  paint , hoping my work will trigger repressed emotions……I still think about the streets I left behind and the closed doors are still fresh in my mind, however now there is a new space—an exit..  This is why the exit sign is an important component of my new series.  ALSO, I don’t remember seeing even one ‘EXIT’ or “SALIDA” sign in Cuba, “said Domenech in a recent interview.

His message, often perceived in Cuba as problematic and negative, is not intended to be ‘political’, rather it conveys the loneliness and emptiness within himself. “People over think the work—make it more difficult. It’s simple and personal.  I paint what I feel, and in Cuba, the lack of freedom, the repressed feelings and the fear around me is what I felt,” says Rafael.  

Domenech, who relocated to the United States in May of this year, experienced immediate success among local collectors and art enthusiasts.  Prominent local art collectors, Carlos Morrison and Jim Pappas and former PalmBeach 3 Director, Natalia Hnatiuk have taken a special interest in Rafael’s work.  “I was truly impressed with his works.  He’s so young and yet his works reflect maturity and substance.  I would like to help this artist achieve his goals and will commit to contributing to his living expenses so that he may focus on his art,” said collector Carlos Morrison.  

Less than three months after landing on U.S. soil, Rafael has established himself as a local artist, setting up a permanent studio and currently in the process of opening his first gallery in downtown West Palm Beach.  
“I am very grateful for the support I am receiving in this country.  In Cuba, supplies were limited and we had nothing to paint on.   I used everything within my reach--pieces of sticks if I didn’t have brushes, old tables to make my frames.  I would rummage through garbage to see what I could find that would be useful to me.  I didn’t have money to buy paint.  I would use fingernail polish or would ask workers in the street for left over paint,” said Domenech.  “I’ve been here for just a few months and have been able to purchase real canvas and supplies. I am truly looking forward to my first major exhibit in this country at the Armory Art Center”

Click here for website:  http://www.rafaeldomenech.com


Admission to the Opening Reception is free for Armory Members and $5 for non-members.  Armory gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10am – 4pm and Saturday 10 am – 2pm.  Please call 561.832.1776 or visit www.armoryart.org for more information.

The Armory’s mission is to provide high-quality visual art school and art gallery services that stimulate personal self-discovery and generate knowledge and awareness of art as part of life. For more information on the Armory Art Center, or to sign up for classes, visit www.ArmoryArt.org or call (561) 832-1776.
About the artist:
Domenech began painting when he was 15 years old at the elementary workshop Manero, in Havana City. In 2005, the 17 year old attended the San Alejandro National Academy of Fine Arts where he was recognized and praised for his great achievements in contemporary art, including his participation in the 9th and 10th Biennial of Havana featuring international artists, and the Ars Latina project.  Rafael graduated with high honors as sculptor, painter and draftsman and was accepted at Havana’s prestigious Superior Institute of Fine Arts (ISA) in 2009.

# # #

Altima provides strategic relation and marketing services for high-end luxury brands, premium service companies, charitable foundations and real estate developers.