Reception: Thursday, July 26 | 5-6 PM
Admission is free and open to the public
Gallery is closed on July 4
Artist Statement: Portraits of Cuba
As a child, I have always been curious about other lands and cultures. I formally studied Italian; however, I have been just as interested in those countries and cultures who speak languages similar to but different from Italian. As a music and dance lover, I have always been especially drawn to Cuba. A country so close, yet so far from us; a land and people so historically-entwined with us yet so isolated from us, this is the paradox that so intrigues me.
While the Obama Administration allowed for much easier access to Cuba, the Trump Administration reversed many of the initiatives, thus making it more difficult to travel to Cuba. And then, attributing symptoms to the Cuban or Russian Governments, there were news stories claiming that Americans, primarily from the diplomatic ranks, complained of inexplicable ringing in their ears. So, the economic upswing that Cubans were beginning to enjoy was all but eroded in a season.
In this series of portraits, I question how Cuban citizens are coping with recently-suspended US Government assistance programs and with the end of a Castro-led government.
While I find people from Cuba to be incredibly warm and welcoming, there is an underlying and profound sense of sadness and desperation. Many face uncertain futures: work and salaries are shrinking; visas to leave are becoming more difficult to obtain; and opportunities are disappearing.
Nevertheless, Cubans have a creative, enterprising, and resourceful spirit. Instilled with a strong sense of pride for their country, they continue to hope for a brighter future.
Reflexión de la Artista: Retratos de Cuba
Desde niña, siempre tuve la curiosidad de conocer otras tierras y culturas. Yo estudié italiano formalmente; sin embargo mi interés va mas alla del italiano, yo me he interesado en los paises y culturas que hablan lenguajes similares al italiano. Siendo una amante de la musica, y danza, siempre me he sentido atraida por Cuba, un pais tan cercano, pero a la vez tan distante de nosotros, donde su tierra y su gente estan tan entrelazados historicamente a nosotros, pero a la misma vez tan aislados, y es esta paradoja que me sigue intrigando.
Aunque la Administracion de Obama nos permitió un acceso mas fácil a Cuba, la Administracion de Trump revirtió muchas de esas iniciativas, haciendo mas complicado el viajar a Cuba, y al atribuir síntomas a los gobiernos Cubano or Ruso. Hubo historias que aseguraron que ciudadanos Americanos, primordialmente diplomáticos, sufrieron de inexplicable zumbidos en sus oidos mientras estaban en Cuba. Esto contribuyó a que la prosperidad económica que los Cubanos empezaban a disfrutar se haya desvanecido en solamente unos meses.
En estas series de retratos, yo me pregunto como los ciudadanos de Cuba estan sobrellevando la reciente suspension de los programas de ayuda de los Estados Unidos desde el término del gobierno dirigido por Castro.
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