Name/Title

untitled

Entry/Object ID

2015.2

Description

This untitled abstract watercolor painting on paper is by Cuban artist José Rodríguez Fuster. The main subjects are a palm tree and fish - alluding to the Cuban landscape, and a rooster - a known symbol of strength and power in Cuban culture. There is one figure whose face appears behind the rooster, and another unknown, amorphous creature takes up the majority of the foreground, with the eyes as its only discernible feature. Fuster's style is often seen as derivative of Picasso or DuBuffet, but there are interesting similarities to the contemporary African-American artist, Thornton Dial, Sr., whose work Fuster probably does not have access to. The painting was purchased from the artist by a group of Gadsden Arts Center patrons on a trip to Havana, Cuba in 2015. Special thanks to the contributors: Angie Barry, Mark & Patsy Bates, Fred & Lucy Harris, and Lou & Calynne Hill.

Artwork Details

Medium

Paper, Watercolor Paint

Acquisition

Accession

2015.2

Source or Donor

José Rodríguez Fuster

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

José Rodríguez Fuster

Role

Artist

Date made

2015

Dimensions

Height

13-7/8 in

Width

16-3/8 in

Interpretative Labels

Label

José Rodríguez Fuster (1946- ) One of Cuba's most famous ceramists and painters, José Fuster began his artistic career in 1961 at age 14. He studied art and worked as a ceramist at the Cubanacán Ceramics Workshop in Havana in 1966. Fuster is best known for his transformation of his neighborhood, Jaimanitas, in Havana, to an entire art installation, affectionately called "Fusterlandia". Fuster has covered his entire house in broken tile mosaics, inspired by Gaudi's work in Barcelona. He has now expanded his mosaics into his neighborhood, decorating over 80 houses, in order to beautify the space around him.

Created By

admin@catalogit.app

Create Date

September 25, 2015