Students can get a little thought-provoking Latin flavor at the Center for the Arts this winter.
A new exhibit in UB's Art Gallery, 'Carlos Estévez: Images of Thought,' will run through Feb. 6 and showcase the work of contemporary Cuban artist Carlos Estévez. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, is composed of 31 works by the artist.
The curator of the exhibit is Jorge J.E. Gracia, SUNY distinguished professor, and Samuel P. Capen, chair in philosophy and comparative literature.
Gracia is the author of a new book first published in February of this year, Images of Thought: Philosophical Interpretations of Carlos Estévez's Art. The book takes the artwork of Estévez and examines the pieces in a philosophical context.
Gracia has a long history in both art and philosophy. He explained that he was interested in art and actually attended art school before he went to college and began studying philosophy.
'I was away from art as a philosopher until recently. My interest actually was sparked by my interest in social identity, particularly ethnic identity,' Gracia said. 'I have had a longtime interest in social interpretation that led to philosophical interpretation of art.'
Gracia thinks that Estévez's work is complex and thought provoking.
'I don't think that you can pinpoint a message for his art as a whole or individual art piece,' Gracia said. 'His art is the basis for the grounds for discussion ... It's clear that his work has philosophical dimensions.'
Gracia found Estévez in a book of recent Cuban art.
'Estévez just left an impression on me, because of his style having a lot of philosophical content, and his art is not run of the mill,' Gracia said.
From that moment on, Gracia wanted to buy a piece of Estévez's artwork, but couldn't get in touch with him because he was traveling throughout Cuba and Europe. Gracia and Estévez crossed paths by accident at Art Miami, the longest running contemporary art fair in Miami, Fla.
'I was walking down an aisle when I saw three paintings, and I knew immediately that they were his … I bought one, and it opened up the door for me to be able to meet him,' Gracia said. 'I was talking to him later … another time in Miami, and I thought it was a good idea to use his art for philosophical interpretations of his art because what he does has a philosophical point of view.'
The works of Estévez's art on display at the exhibit spans multiple phases of his career – from approximately 1992, when he was still in art school, to the present.
'[The] exhibit is a retrospective, mid career. The pieces here literally span every period of his work,' Gracia said. 'They show … where he's going and where he's been.'
A pamphlet is included with the tour to help guide visitors through the exhibit. The booklet features a short essay written by Gracia about Estévez and his work, colorful illustrations of some of the artwork in the exhibition and a short biography about the artist.
But people will have to come to the actual exhibit to see everything, Gracia said.
'We've added some pieces not in the book, and we did not put all the pieces in the book in the show,' Gracia said. 'You'll have to come and see.'
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Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
