Edited by Rachel Hutcheson
Clarke Art Consulting had the pleasure of interviewing José Lorenzo, a multitalented Cuban artist whose work reflects his complex relationship with his homeland. José Lorenzo paints vibrant landscapes that recall Cuba as well as striking portraits of the Maasai people. Lorenzo’s provocative work demands our attention like few artists today.
José Lorenzo
Can you tell us a little about your background and how you became an artist?
When I was seventeen years old in 1994, I left Cuba by swimming for three days to the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay. Back in Cuba, I created political artwork in the form of murals and other paintings, until the Cuban government nearly arrested me and I barely escaped with my life. After eleven days of interrogation by US officials, I was finally granted asylum. After arriving in the US, I became fascinated with landscapes and human figures, particularly the Maasai people of eastern Africa.
The Proposal by José Lorenzo
African Man by José Lorenzo
Can you describe your style of art, and has your art changed over time?
At the beginning of my career in Cuba, I painted Cuban political art, including images of starving people, hunger, freedom of speech, etc., until I was nearly arrested by the Cuban government. Later, after I got my freedom in the US, I missed Cuba so much and I was so homesick for my country, that I began painting from my memories, particularly beautiful Cuban landscapes.
Broke Dream by José Lorenzo
Old Volcano by José Lorenzo
Do you work in any other forms of art, and is it ever reflected in your visual art?
I am a musician and a painter, which is difficult because both art forms have a lot of similarities, but in many ways they are opposites. But I can’t leave one for the other. Music has musical scales and melodies, which communicates my artistic message verbally and can be heard by large crowds of people. On the other hand, painting has its own scales of colors and tones and this brings my message in silence in a purely visual format. To me painting is almost like doing yoga meditation. These are my two worlds and both are amazing to me, because they give me a chance to express myself in different ways.
Mural by José Lorenzo
How have people responded to your art?
Many people that know me in person don’t even know that I’m a painter, because I don’t talk about it much. They also don’t know how much time I spend on all the details of my work. They like the colors and ideas I create, and I enjoy seeing their minds go to different places that they see in my artwork and backgrounds.
What artists do you admire?
There are several artists that I admire. Tomas Sanchez, a famous Cuban landscape artist — he is my main inspiration. Another is Maxfield Parrish, an American illustrator who has always fascinated me with his mind and concepts. A third inspiration is a Virginia female artist Nancy Witt, who I believe is on the same level as Salvador Dali. My fourth inspiration would have to be the contemporary Cuban artist, Roberto Fabelo.
Untitled (landscape) by José Lorenzo
Can you tell us about your latest project?
I am working on a several projects in Charlottesville for local restaurants. These involve combining my Cuban landscape styles with coffee products, which to me is very fun, because I still have some freedom in creating these paintings and adding a little flavor of my own.
Published by Clarke Art Consulting © 2010
