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Carlos Gamez de FranciscoSeated Ballerina 2023
2023
About the Item
Carlos Gamez de Francisco was born in post-revolutionary Cuba in 1987 to a Cuban- Spanish mother and a Cuban-American father. He grew up in Cuba and was educated in an academic style heavily influenced by the Russian Academy. At age five, he determined, with absolute certainty, that he would be an artist. By the time he was 15, Francisco was diligently painting eight hours a day. Today, he often spends 15 hours a day painting and feels "very blessed" to do what he loves.
Francisco arrived in the United States at 21 with $650 and knew no English. He spent $600 on art supplies and $50 on a pair of Cortez running shoes – just like the ones Forrest Gump wore to run across the United States. He committed himself to learning 100 English words every day, studying diligently, working, and painting at night. His hard work and perseverance led him to earn artistic commissions and recognition.
Cuban history has guided Francisco's work in a variety of ways. "On the one hand, it allows me to rethink the way storytelling is part of our memories," he says. "On the other, it allows me to question the accuracy of history and its telling."
Exposed to Figurative Arts in Cuba by the presence of the Russian Academy, Francisco began decontextualizing epochs and cultural symbols as a way of connecting the past with the present. Currently, this near-obsession with the past translates into figures, scenarios, and most importantly, the recreation of his own stories.
"I am more fascinated in altering history than depicting it accurately," says Francisco
- Creator:Carlos Gamez de Francisco (1987, Cuban)
- Creation Year:2023
- Dimensions:Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 16 in (40.64 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Nashville, TN
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1675211713562
Carlos Gamez de Francisco
Carlos Gamez de Francisco was born in post-revolutionary Cuba in 1987 in a climate of art censorship and limited access to information. He was educated in an academic style heavily influenced by the Russian Academy. This influence and the history of Cuba itself, are the lens through which Francisco creates quasi-historic portraits, narratives and an illusory world. Francisco understood that decontextualizing epochs and artistic symbols are tools that establish a connection between the present and the past. His works explore themes of power, hierarchy, perfection and beauty, repetition, decoration and obscene abundance. His images often depict a sense of happiness and well-being which in turn, insinuates a nonexistent time. Thus, themes and specific figures are examples of distorted reality illustrating his perceptions about life. Francisco focuses on modifying historical periods, fashion, images and contexts using insects, whether realistically represented or not, as imaginary elements recreating new contexts. Mainly, he recreates experiences and memories by superimposing and manipulating historical figures and events. Finally, understanding beauty in its various forms is the motivation for experimenting with non-conventional materials. Francisco’s general approach is to demystify classical beauty and present it as a natural process and in its natural form.
About the Seller
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Established in 2020
1stDibs seller since 2021
48 sales on 1stDibs
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Nashville, TN
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
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