Courtesy of Conde Contemporary.
Andres Conde in his studio.
In April 2014, the Conde Contemporary gallery opened in Little Havana. Time to take the temperature of this new-ish enterprise as they whip into high gear with their focus on Cuban artists both here and there. No grass is growing under the feet of the art power couple made up of owner/curator Miami native Stacy Conde and Cuban born artist Andres Conde.
The latest exhibition is titled Contemporary Cuban Figurativism. I asked curator Stacy Conde what criteria she used in choosing these artists? “The artists I chose for Contemporary Cuban Figurativism each represent a different style of work, in some cases vastly different techniques, and none of them fit the stereotypical mold that exists, outside of Cuba and Miami, regarding perceptions of Cuban art. This show is very simple from a curatorial standpoint. Rather than first conceptualizing the theme then having the artists conform to my parameters, I chose artists whose work already fit the theme. The common thread is country of origin and a figurative quality to the work."
Participating artists include Edel Bordón, Eurora Molina, Raiman Rodriquez Moya, Enrique Toledo, Andres Conde, Darian Rodriquez Mederos and Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio.
I asked the last three (all Cuban born) what their thoughts were on the Cuban Contemporary Figurativism pieces.
Courtesy of Conde Contemporary.
Darian Rodriquez Mederos at work.
IS: Was there a moment or action that began your direction in the work you are showing now?
Andres Conde: Yes, I remember becoming bored with the imagery omnipresent in Cuban art from the diaspora. ...inner tubes, paddles with thorns, that sort of thing. I understand why it exists, and it should continue to exist, as the imagery speaks to certain undeniable truths. I decided to create something more hopeful by using my own nostalgic impressions of what Cuba was and what it can be again.
IS: The faces in your work gaze with great intention. What are you imagining is behind their laser-like focus? What do you want the take-away to be for the observer?
Courtesy of Conde Contemporary.
Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio.
Darian Rodriquez Mederos: I paint primarily expressionless faces; the faces themselves show no emotion. The main expression in my work is in the eyes of my subjects. What is behind their eyes I can not say, it's open to interpretation. When I photograph my models I may take hundreds of photos before capturing exactly what I'm looking for. There are two things I'd like the observe to experience: a kind of communication between the spectator and the painting, and the other is to please the observer.
IS: What is it about the magical fantasy in your pieces that resonate with your inner machinations?
Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio: I think the magical realism of my work has to do with my family. My mother specifically. She was an actress in children's theater, I was raised with fantastical imagery. My works are dreamlike, virtual doors to other worlds, inner worlds... I want the viewer to create a magical world of their own within their heads using the imagery in my paintings.
Stacy Conde is no novice in this latest gallery endeavor. As Conde stated: “The first incarnation of the gallery, Goodman Conde Gallery, was located in The Design District back in 1998. Craig Robins, developer and legendary supporter of the arts, gave me a tremendous space at an affordable price.”
Courtesy of Conde Contemporary.
Raiman Rodriquez Moya.
She found the arts, in Miami specifically, frustrating at first: “If you weren't South American and painting abstract work in dark ominous colors you weren't being shown....at least that was my perspective. I decided to create a controlled free for all, beginning with an open call in The New Times. The artists chosen would have the artistic freedom to create whatever they desired within their given spaces. Carlos Betancourt did a massive sculptural installation, Angela Valella created a quiet and moving piece relating to Cuba and family involving a massive mound of dirt and a rocking chair, George Goodridge exhibited what was then called his "Exoskeleton" series, and Andres Conde showed expressionistic works inspired by his time as a bartender on South Beach. We opened the exhibition to over 400 people in the first night alone. Ultimately, the gallery was short lived, but critically very successful.”
This Calle Ocho site was originally supposed to be a studio and gallery for (husband) Andres Conde. Stacy says, “I began receiving requests from artists for representation; it was Andres who urged me to include other artists in the gallery. Conde Contemporary has evolved to representing a handful of extraordinarily talented contemporary Cuban artists. Happily, the gallery has far out performed my expectations to date.”
Stacy Conde is the “sole curator for the gallery and this show,” though “not at all opposed to working with outside curators.”
Courtesy of Conde Contemporary.
Reflejos de Alma by artist Darian Rodriquez Mederos.
Andres experience was formed from the journey to the United States as a nine year old immigrant from Cuba. He came via Spain and New York, with a off side few years in Chicago as an adult; he leans toward expressionistic and graphic art in his paintings.
Stacy’s visual art life began with photography and film in the fashion industry. She progressed with mentor (fashion designer, illustrator, and Biba founder) Barbara Hulanicki.Working on projects with Hulanicki included Island Records founder Chris Blackwell. Over the course of ten years, Ms. Conde worked on a variety of projects with Hulanicki as well as with Blackwell. Conde retains the relationship, serving now as Hulanicki’s artist representative in the North American market.
She has been asked to join with Redwood Media Group (RMG) to curate, ARTE Cuba; part of ART SAN DIEGO, and SPECTRUM Miami Contemporary Art Shows(Dec. 2-6). The 2015 ART TALKS will focus on collecting and understanding modern and contemporary Cuban Art......which is where Conde comes in, joining a panel of Cuban art experts for discussions.
Being a true creative, Stacy also is author of the curiously engaging little book, The Red Speck, dubbed as an “allegorical journey into the self.”
I read it and it pulled me in; kept me thinking long after the last page was turned.
LEFT: Courtesy of Conde Contemporary. Cafe des Artes by Andres Conde, RIGHT: Photography/Irene Sperber. Andres Conde, Stacy Conde flanking daughter Sophia.
Conde Contemporary, 1007 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33130, Tel. 239.961.0452, info@condecontemporary.com, www.condecontemporary.com.
Cuban Contemporary Figurativism is in the gallery through September 10. Contact the gallery to schedule a private viewing, consultation regarding the commissioning of a work, group visit, or interview. Official hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; Saturday, Sunday and evenings by appointment.
