New Painting For “Columbus In Cuba | Cuba In Columbus” Exhibition

by Daric Gill

{Feature Video of Painting Process Above}

Absolute: Triumph is my newest (and largest) piece in this series. It was recently delivered to the Columbus in Cuba | Cuba in Columbus exhibition. This show represents an unprecedented, multi-event, multi-venue group of exhibitions showcasing the work of artists from central Ohio and Cuba. In April 2019, five Columbus artists were among the 200 international artists selected to show work in the renowned 13th Havana Biennial in Matanzas, Cuba. An additional 34 Columbus artists showed their work alongside art from Cuban artists as part of a collateral Biennial exhibition, ConnectArt, in Matanzas. From October 1 to November 15, 2019, artwork from the 39 central Ohio artists who exhibited in Cuba, work from additional Columbus artists, and Cuban artists work will be on display at art institutions, galleries, and public venues throughout Columbus as part of Cuba in Columbus.

ABOUT THIS PIECE

Shades of translucent dark green accentuate the patterns of grain in the wood, reminiscent of a topographical map. A painted white cloud looks like a paper cutout with 6 blue strings dangling down. Over that, a red/orange thread hangs and makes a sharp turn. It outlines a distinct pattern on its way to a large origami boat. This pattern is a familiar motif pulled from the rooflines and archways of many of the old buildings in Havana. A berried shrub seemingly grows from the bow of the origami boat.

This is the sister piece to Absolute: Frequency, a piece that was exhibited during the Havana Biennial earlier this year. Read about it here. Absolute: Frequency stayed in Cuba and is slated to part of the permanent collection in a Contemporary Arts Center in Matanzas, Cuba. As you can imagine, transporting the work from America to Cuba was not easy. The original piece was designed as a triptych in case there was a need to disassemble the painting for more compact travel purposes. The new work adapted a similar triptych form, which permitted me to transport the nearly 4 ft wide wood painting in a backpack between the workshop and my studio. I’m excited and honored to be part of such a multi-cultural partnership. Please check out my work and the works of so many other amazing American and Cuban artists.

More information about the participating artists & galleries can be found at the website ColumbusInCuba.com . A map of all the different exhibition locations here.

Exhibition Info:
October 1 – November 15, 2019
Locations: art institutions, galleries and public venues across Columbus
Opening reception: October 1, 2019, 5:00 – 8:00pm, with opening words at 6:00pm, Hilton Columbus Downtown