February 27, 2009 | Download PDF
Emerging Cuban Artist Julio Ferrer is featured with two other artists in Island Views
Three artists from three islands give us the chance to view their former homes from unique perspectives. We can appreciate the distinctiveness and similarities of these places.
Julio Ferrer’s urbanscapes of Cuba are cluttered with a diversity of people and the ubiquitous classic cars. “Classic cars are part of my culture as a Cuban. These cars are an icon of Cuba.” says Ferrer. Since 2000 they have become part of his artistic portfolio. He uses them as a centerpiece for representing scenes of the daily life of Cuba. A graduate of Cuba’s prestigious National School of Visual Arts in Havana, Julio is first and foremost one of Cuba’s few pop artists. In this show his paintings are focused on realism.
Before moving to Canada in 2007, he participated in over 50 group and 11 solo national and international exhibits. His art forms part of private and museums collections in Cuba and other parts of the Americas. In November 2008, a number of his pieces of both styles were included in a Bonham and Butterfield auction in California. Included as an emerging contemporary Cuban artist, his work sat alongside Latin American greats such as Diego Rivera and fetched high prices in a slumping economy. Julio Ferrer currently lives and works as an independent artist in Hamilton, Ontario, about 100 km outside Toronto.
Rosslyn Berot-Burns presents images and symbols that are evocative of Trinidad and island life in general. Her images are tender yet rich. Light is used to create the tone. Light enters her compositions to create an atmosphere that quietly influences the viewers’ mood and shapes our responses. With simple strokes, she tells stories that transcend time.
Tamara Natalie Madden conjures memories of rural working-class Jamaica with colourful mixed media pieces. Her work honours ordinary folks and celebrate the simple life. Tamara uses selfdeveloped drawing and painting processes to create.
Julio Ferrer and Berot-Burns will be present for the opening reception on Friday, March 6, 6 – 9 p.m. **At the reception, everyone will have a chance to win a painting by Opal Dunbar-Adams.
SPENCE GALLERY, located at 600 Markham (Bathurst & Bloor), is a one-of-a-kind gallery in Toronto. The gallery was founded to share culturally diverse artistic expressions. It provides a taste of contemporary art of Caribbean, Latin American and African artists and the Diaspora. It is dedicated to diversity and celebrates the cultural influences of the artists.
For further information & to set up interviews with the artist please contact: Joan Spence, Director – 416 795 2787