Raul Enmanuel - La Mascara I

done in 2003

medium-  acrylic, and charcoal,  on canvas.

size -16" x 12" (40 x 30cm)

description

This is a wonderful example of Enmanuel's increasing command of the canvas medium. His texture, composition, symbology, and technical mastery continue to improve. This is his latest work, and though his imagery leans toward the abstract, he has hinted that these paintings are representative of feminine, divine beings of a benevolent, and supportive nature. There is great power in these paintings, and the imagery seems to be blended with the abstract, tropical landscape quality he has become known for. Though there are hints of where Enmanuel's points of inspiration come from, the iconography he has developed is entirely his own. You may consult his bio for more details. There are several more paintings from this series available. Please inquire.

Enmanuel's work was prominently featured in the 4th season of the Fox Television's show "Prison Break". It was used to decorate the loft space in the show, and his work can be seen in a number of episodes. 

The origins of his iconography are in the early work of Wifredo Lam. One can see elements that are a reminder of this great artist's work. Though Enmanuel has used these elements as a point of inspiration, he has succeeded in making the work entirely his own. He has focused on Lam's early jungle work as a jumping off point, to create a body of symbols, and a language that depicts a reverence for Mother Nature, and his work has a power and intensity that is rarely found in contemporary art. We at MLA search for contemporary artists that have both conceptual genius, and technical mastery. A combination of qualities rarely found today, but present in abundance in the work of this brilliant artist. Enmanuel was selected to create two huge murals in Cuba. One is a 40 ft. mural at the Railway Station in Santiago, and the other is a 30 ft. mural in the lobby of the Melia Cohiba, which is the top hotel in Eastern Cuba. These are both extremely prestigious projects, and have placed this great artist in an important historical context. 

We have been in business for 20 years, and enjoy a very good feedback rating. We believe in, and offer outstanding customer service. MLA Gallery has other paintings by Enmanuel, as well as a large selection of paintings, graphics, sculptures, and drawings by established Latin artists, and Latin Masters. Please inquire for many others. 

Some biographical info on Enmanuel is as follows:

RAUL ENMANUEL POZO - BIOGRAPHY

Born in San Luis, Santiago, Cuba, 1958

Studies

1980-1985 Higher Institute of Art “CUBANACAN”, Havana, Cuba

1976-1980 National School of Art “CUBANACAN”, Havana, Cuba

1973- 1976   School for Plastic Arts Jose Joaquin Tejada, Santiago de Cuba

Solo Exhibitions

2004 – La locomotora de mi papa, Canvas Gallery, San Juan, Puerto Rico

2002 – Buscando Caminos, Galeria Juan Marinillo, Institute for the Friendship

            with People, Havana, Cuba

2000 – Mi Tiempo Vegetal, Casa de Teatro, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

1999 – Mi Tiempo Vegetal, Casa de Arte, Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican

            Republic

1999 – Acrilicos sobre Telas, Galeria Oriente, Santiago, Cuba

1994 – Galeria Coral, Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia

1993 – Tropico, Center of Applied Studies, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

1991 – Amuletos Recuerdo de mis abuelos, Galeria Oriente, Santiago, Cuba

1989 - Dibujos sobre Cartulinas, Galeria Cine Cuba, Santiago, Cuba

1988 – Dibujos sobre Cartulinas, Festival of Cuban Culture, Burdeo, France

1987 – 2nd annual Festival of Cuban Culture, Havana, Cuba

1987 – Apuntes para un Proyecto, Galeria de Arte Universal, Manzanillo, Cuba

1986 – De lo Nuestro La Vegetacion, Galeria de Arte Universal, Santiago, Cuba

1985 – Muntu, Galeria Galeano, Havana, Cuba

Collective Exhibitions

Participated in over 50 group shows in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Colombia,

Portugal, France, and the United States.

2008 – The Americas Collection – Coral Gables, Florida

2008 – Featured artist - Spring Brewery Artwalk, MLA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2008 – Spring Brewery Artwalk, LS Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA

2007 – Fall Brewery Artwalk, MLA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2007 – Outstanding new contemporary artists, LS Contemporary, Los Angeles, CA

2007 – Elements of Abstraction, Gallery on State, Santa Barbara, CA

2006 – Brewery Artwalk, MLA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2005 – Crosscurrents, Soho Gallery, Studio City, CA

2005 – Contemporary Visions, Audis Husar Fine Art, Beverly Hills, CA

2005 – Brewery Artwalk, MLA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2004 – Tropical Profundo, MLA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2004 – Brewery Artwalk, MLA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2003 - Brewery Artwalk, MLA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2003 - Cuban Artists, Gallery Nader, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

2002 – Brewery Artwalk, MLA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2002 – Cuban Painters, Naipe Museum, Havana, Cuba

2001 – Cuban Artists, Gallery Nader, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

2000 – Four Abstract Painters, Galeria San Ignacio, Havana, Cuba

2000 - Participant in the 7th Havana Biennial

1999 - End of the Century Hall, Emilio Bacardi Museum, Santiago, Cuba

1999 - Serigraphy Workshop, Taller Rene Portocarrero, Havana, Cuba

1999 - Cuban Painters, Museum of the Americas, San Juan, Puerto Rico

1998 - Galeria de Arte Universal, Santiago, Cuba

1998 - Galeria Oriente, Santiago, Cuba

1997 - Salon de 30 de Noviembre, Santiago, Cuba

1996 - The Gallery of the Hotel Melia Cohiba, Santiago, Cuba

1995 - House of Culture Gallery, Lisbon, Portugal

1994 - Art Center Gallery, Nelva, Colombia

1994 – Five Cuban Painters, Viva del Arte Galeria, Bogota, Colombia

1993 - Four Cuban Painters, Art Gallery of the Dominican Institute of Applied

            Studies ( IDEA), Santo Domingo, D.R.

1990 – Contemporary Painting, Center for Dominican Architecture, Santo                                  

            Domingo, Dominican Republic

1988 – Cuban Painters, Centro de Arte 501, San Francisco

1988 - Cultural Assets Hall Fund, Santiago, Cuba

1987 - Salon 30 de Noviembre, Santiago, Cuba

1987 - Galeria de Arte Universal, Santiago, Cuba

1986 - Seven Cuban Painters, Gallery of the House of Culture, Havana, Cuba

1986 - Participant in the 2nd Havana Biennial

1985 - Students Hall of the Hermanos Sainz Brigade, Galerie Oriente, Santiago,

            Cuba

1984 – Students Hall, Higher Institute of Art, Cubanacan, Havana, Cuba

1984 - Participant in the 1st Havana Biennial – A Tribute to the Triumph of the

            Cuban Revolution, Lobby of the Carl Marx Theatre, Havana, Cuba

Murals

Restaurant of Melia Cohiba Hotel, Santiago, Cuba

Railway Terminal, Santiago, Cuba

Executive Airport, Santiago, Cuba

Awards

1999 - National Prize of Serigraphy, Workshop “Rene Portocarrero”

1998 - Cuban Cultural Assets Fund, 1st prize for painting

1998 - Salon Fin de Siglo, National Union of Cuban Writers and Artists (UNEAC)

1997 - Honorable mention – Emilio Bacardi Museum, Santiago, Cuba

1997 - First Prize, Acquisition for Permanent Collection, Emilio Bacardi Museum,

            Santiago, Cuba

1989 - National Award for the Painting on Canvas, TELARTE Vll, Cultural assets

            of Cuba Fund

1987 - Honorable mention, Painting, City Hall, Santiago, Cuba

1986 – 1st Prize for the Carnival Poster, San Luis, Santiago, Cuba

1985 - Honorable mention, Students Hall of the Hermanos Sainz Brigade,

           Galeria Oriente, Santiago, Cuba

1984 – 1st Prize for the Carnival Poster, San Luis, Santiago, Cuba

Distinctions

1998 - Shield of Villa de San Luis de las Enramadas, Santiago, Cuba

1997 – Official Key of the Cultural Assets of Cuba Fund, Santiago, Cuba

            Member of UNEAC (National Union of Cuban Writers and Artists)

            Member of the International Association of Plastic Artists

Collections

His works can be found in many permanent and private collections.

Emilio Bacardi Museum, Santiago, Cuba

Museo Polivalente, Santiago, Cuba

Center of Art Ceballo Estrella, Santiago, Cuba

MLA Gallery Collection, Los Angeles, CA

Banco de Reservas, Santo Domingo, D.R.

In addition to many private collections throughout Cuba, the Dominican Republic,

Colombia, Mexico, Jamaica Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, and the United States.

For more info call us at (323) 744-7550, or to see a greater selection of the gallery work, please visit our Artnet site at: