Art & Beyond Special Issue 2015

art beyond &

Vol. 26 • ArtExpo NY • Special Edition • 2015

www.artandbeyondpublications.com

from artist to artist - market, promote, succeed

Current Art Group USA - A Division of Contemporary Art Projects USA

at ArtExpo New York 2015

Maria Fernanda LAIRET - INVITED ARTIST

THE FANTASY PASSAGE PHOTOGRAPHY. WINNER POSTER AT ART EXPO NEW YORK 2015

oil • acrylic • watercolor • mixed media • photography • digital art • sculpture • glass • ceramic • jewelry

Lorena Fernandez

ATARDECER SUBLIME EN LA MONTAÑA Oil on Canvas, 60” x 60”

CURRENT ART GROUP USA … a division of Contemporary Art Projects USA

EXHIBIT WITH US AT

ONE THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS ART FAIR IN THE USA We handle all the details to provide you with a high quality exhibition

Executive Director: Tata Fernandez

Curated by Silvia Medina

OUR BOOTH # 315 SIZE

500+ Square Feet Located at the VIP Area

SHOW INFORMATION Opening Night Preview Thursday April 23rd | 4pm – 7pm Thursday (Trade Only Day) April 23rd | 12pm – 7pm Friday April 24th |10am – 7pm Saturday April 25th |10am – 7pm Sunday April 26th |10am – 6pm

LOCATION Pier 94 711 12th Ave (55th Street & the West Side Highway) New York, NY 10019-5399

PIER 94 - “THE ART PIER” Pier 94 enjoys a prime location and established prestige in the New York convention and special event landscape.

Over the past several years, Pier 94 has quickly become a recognizable event space in New York City, utilized for high end shows and large scales events

FOR MORE INFORMATION Current Art Group USA A Division of Contemporary Art Projects USA Email: info@currentartgroupusa.com Telephone: 786-262-5886 Current Art Group USA Artists during Spectrum 2014

Vol. 26 • ArtExpo NY • Special Edition • 2015

art&beyond Art & Beyond Magazine is a bridge between the artists and the art world. It is an essential marketing and promotional tool every artist needs to possess when exhibiting their work, whether at art shows, art expos, or small exhibitions.

Art & Beyond Magazine is proud to present the incredible artists featured on the pages of this issue. Each exhibiting their own style, unique ideas and vision of the world around us. From nothing they are able to create what inspires and enhances our everyday lives.

This Art & Beyond Online issue is a Special Edition and serves as the catalog for Current Art Group USA — Art Projects a Division of Contemporary Art Projects USA based in Miami, FL will present its 2015 Art Expo New Your in which it will showcase emerging and invited established international artists at its 500+ square feet booth #315 under the direction and marketing expertise of Tata Fernandez, Executive Director.

CONTENTS Point of Interest Message from the Executive Director

6

People to Know Message from the Executive Director

8

Fine Art

Maria Fernanda Lairet Adrian Menendez Alejandro L. Debonis Alexandra Betancour Anica Shpilberg Raquel Rub Anabel Rub Peicher Carlos A. Pereira Chris Delias Claudia Cebrian Diana Bursztyn Donna Haynes Eva Rimsky

10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Evelyn Walg Franco Mbilizi Irina Grammatina Jaime Ferreyros Lorena Fernandez Valentina Bilbao Koqui Handal Laura Sion Maria Ana Davila Mark Taylor Neke Carson Niurka Barroso Patricio Moreno Toro Rafael Muci Rebeca Bibas Rosy Lofer Samah El Hage Tania Bakalarz Vanessa Benhamron William Stalhuth

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43

Cover

Maria Fernanda Lairet-Venezuela, will be the Invited Artist showcasing an installation called Narrativas Globales”. She also was finalist of The Artexpo New York 2015 Poster Challenge theme “Passageways” with her artwork titled: “The Final Passage”.

A Special Reception will take place during the VIP Opening of the Fair.

Art & Beyond wishes a great success to all participating artists in the biggest event of the year this December in Miami FL.

Maria Fernanda LAIRET

Publisher Art Director Interview Editor

Mila Ryk Mila Ryk Justin Hoffman Alina Lampert

Art & Beyond published 8 times a year.

Six (6) Online issues and Two (2) printed issues.

Distributed to the galleries, museumes and other

Inside Front Cover

Inside Back Cover

Lorena Fernandez

Valentina Bilbao

Entry Form to apply to be published in the Art & Beyond Online magazine is available at http://www.artandbeyondpublications.com/ab-online-entry/ Membership Program application is available at http://www.artandbeyondpublications.com/membership/ For any additional information please contact Mila Ryk at mryk@art-beyond.com

www.artandbeyondpublications.com • 5

point of interest

Maria Fernanda Lairet. THE FINAL PASSAGE. Photography. Poster Finalist at Art Expo 2015

Current Art Group USA, a division of Contemporary Art Projects USA under the direction of Tata Fernandez, Executive Director and curated by Silvia Medina, will be participating at Art Expo New York 2015 Booth #315. The Fair will be held from April 23-26, 2015 at the Pier 94| 711-12th, New York, New York 1009 with a VIP Reception on Thursday, April 23rd, 2015 from 12p.m. to 7p.m.

Medina was a member of the scholastic team that inaugurated the Wifredo Lam Institute in Havana, under the guidance of the First Havana Biennale Curators and she also directed the prestigious Sala Mendoza in Caracas, Venezuela.

Maria Fernanda Lairet-Venezuela, will be the Invited Artist showcasing an installation called Narrativas Globales”. She also was finalist of The Artexpo New York 2015 Poster Challenge theme “Passageways” with her artwork titled: “The Final Passage”. A Special Reception will take place during the VIP Opening of the Fair.

Current Art Group USA received a special invitation by Art Expo New York 2015 to be part of two major events; Friday, April 24th, 2015 at 3:00p.m.-4:00p.m.

Meet the Artists at Booth 315.

Saturday, April 25th, 2015 at 3:00p.m.-4:30p.m. Art Talks-Learn Success Secrets from Amazing Artists. Panel Discussion: Cynthia Duff, Nick Paciorek and Carlos A. Pereira.

6 • Art & Beyond • November/December 2014

Carlos A. Pereira. ALLEGRO. Sculpture

Claudia Cebrian. ANGELS AROUND US. Photography

Participating Artists: Alejandro L. Debonis-Argentina, Alexandra BetancurColombia, Adrian Menendez-USA,An ica Shpilberg-USA, Anabel Rub-Peicher-Venezuela, Carlos A. Pereira-Venezuela, Chris Delias-Austria, Claudia Cebrian-USA, Diana BursztynColombia, Donna Haynes-USA, Eva Rimsky-Chile, Evelyn WalgVenezuela, Franco Mbilizi-Malawi,Africa, Irina Grammatina-Russia, Jaime Ferreyros-Peru, Koqui Handal-Bolivia, Laura Sion-England, Lorena Fernandez-Colombia, Maria Ana Davila-Mexico, Mark Taylor-USA, Neke Carson-USA, Niurka Barroso-Cuba, Patricio Moreno Toro-Chile, Rafael Muci-Venezuela, Raquel Rub-Peru, Rebeca Bibas-Colombia, Rosy Lofer-Argentina, Samah El HageSweden, Tania Bakalarz-Colombia, Valentina Bilbao-Venezuela, Vanessa Benhamron-Venezuela and William Stalhuth-Venezuela.

Using the power of the web through the high traffic generated by one of Miami's leading media company, Smiley Stone, to promote artists using the Magic City's renown reputation and appeal as a cosmopolitan U.S. city for the arts.

ArtExpo brings a tremendous exposure and unlimited opportunities for networking—in the heart of New York City to our artists, said Tata Fernandez, Executive Director.

Jaime Ferreyros. WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING. Iphonography

Media Contact: The Smiley Stone Entertainment Group, Contact: Leticia del Monte, President, 786-296-6581 or Email: leticiadelmonte@gmail.com

www.artandbeyondpublications.com • 7

people to know

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR This year for first time Current Art Group USA will present an international exhibition of emerging artists at Art Expo New York 2015.

Tata Fernandez, Executive Director

This is exhibition has been curated by our curator Silvia Medina, “I am proud to have as a member of our gallery so professional curator with an extensive background from Institutions and Biennale as being a founder member of the Havana Biennale”.

It promises to be an exciting exhibition, presenting artworks by 31 artists with Maria Fernanda Lairet as Invited Artist from Contemporary Art Projects USA. She is presenting her installation called Narrativas Globales.

My mission is to promote art appreciation within the international community to inspire and assist with the process of art collection, and to generate resources that support artists’ creative endeavors. Through art awareness, artist promotion and art procurement.

We work with the best minds in the industry and share our experience and passion for marketing the arts, culture and entertainment. From Biennales and gala auctions, to exhibitions and major international art fairs, we have the experience, innovation and creativity to engage audiences through inspired campaigns.

Current Art Group USA a division of Contemporary Art Projects, USA Tata Fernandez / Executive Director Miami, FL 33160 Phone: 786.262.5886 Email: info@currentartgroupusa.com

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fine art

NARRATIVAS GLOBALES. Installation.

Maria Fernanda LAIRET - Venezuela Invited Artist Maria Fernanda Lairet, invited artist and finalist of the Poster Competition with her unique photography titled “The Fantasy Passage” presented by Art Expo New York 2015. The artist is represented by Contemporary Art Projects USA. Born in Caracas, Venezuela. Degree in Graphic Design Design Institute of Caracas in 1987.

Throughout his career plastic has ventured into graphic design, drawing, photography and painting, working without limitations disciplines and combines to result in amazing pieces by the use of the support and the mixture of techniques. During the eighties begins its exhibition activity, when performed inside the framed pieces and a paint abstract expressionism with strong gestural domain in which, in the words of the artist, "(...) only care about the supreme act of painting". Currently The artist performs a more reflective and conceptual work through to check the coin paper money in particular, of different denominations and nationalities, which let on topics of current political, economic and social, by using digital printing on sheets of Plexiglas.

Maria has participated in solo and group exhibitions in universities, galleries, biennials, fairs and exhibitions, both in Venezuela and international fairs where she has shown her most recent work, Global Narratives and Intervened Photographs.

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MICKEY DOLLAR. NARRATIVAS GLOBALES

One of her last exhibitions took place at Concept Fair at “Cosmic Connections Exhibition of Contemporary Art Projects USA during Art Basel Miami 2014. She received 2nd Place Best Artwork of the Show between 698 artists as well as a Show at the Georgian National Museum called “PUNCTUM CONTRA PUNCTUM II” curated by Richard Tooke, Former Curator of the Museum of Modern Art of New York City. At the present time Maria Fernanda Lairet is represented by Contemporary Art Projects USA in United States. www.mariafernandalairet.com

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fine art XXI CENTURY GRINDER. Drawing on Heavy Paper, 23.5" x 14.5"

Adrian Menendez - USA This is not the first time that Adrián Menéndez, born in Madrid, Spain, in 1992, of Cuban descent, appears before us as a successful artist, despite being very young. When he was just 16 years old, he won the First Prize in a public schools competition of Sculpture in Miami-Dade.

From 2010 on, the work of Adrian leans towards a type of surrealism, spattered by pop, and put together by post conceptualism; with predominance of a very characteristic drawing style that helps him to constitute something like a world where the real objective mixes with the unreal in an arbitrary, fragmented, absurd and sometimes simply metaphysical way. All his characters are linked with certain messages that play with ambiguity, but with his feet on the ground, and focused on the pressing problems that affect us. In his paintings like his sculptures and drawings surge a progressive social criticism and his cryptic hummer and ironies. In Adrian´s work, everything shows a critical inspiration and an updated expression, within a landscape that without being indulgent acquires soft tints and delicate transparencies.

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ABSTRACT CITY EXPERIENCE. Mixed Media on Canvas, 40" x 40"

Alejandro Lucas Debonis - Argentina Alejandro Debonis influenced by his father, Art Professor, started painting and drawing early in life. He pursued art studies with Vicente Puig, well known Catalan Art Professor as well Architecture at the University of Buenos Aires.

Every summer, his visit to Punta del Este (Uruguay) and his intensive traveling thru the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Ocean allow him to inspire creating landscapes of these regions, where the love for the ocean and his spiritual adventure is reflected on the canvas.

Currently, Debonis is introducing a new series of abstract artworks, showing cubist and surrealist elements. www.alejandrodebonis.com.ar

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fine art

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY. Installation. Mixed Media, 40" x 48"

Alexandra Betancur - Colombia Out of passion and unrestrained, Alexandra Betancur introduce us through her works to a world full of color, and leads us by the same creative process to discover new forms and images. As she describes them well, they are an analogy of life. Creating a painting is nothing more than a group of choices with its mere consequences, which can be good or bad in the eyes of the spectator.

The successive application of the different colors chosen, result in unique images that brings to life her creativity.

Born in Bogotá, Colombia in 1973. She has Studied and lived in the United States, Colombia, Mexico, Sao Paulo and currently in Panama City, Panama. This artist awakens our senses through a great use of color, and reflection of reality, passion and unconditional commitment to life.

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SERIES OF HAVANA OF TODAY. Installation. Photography printed on Paper.

Anica Shpilberg - USA Art is the language of my thoughts. Through my work I seek to bring awareness of the social and cultural realities that are patent in our world today.

The inspiration comes from my surroundings and experiences lived. I sort thru images that “make sense” and weave them into fragments that tell a story. The purpose of it all is to capture instances in time.

The series “Havana of Today” came about after a recent a visit to Havana where I could see a snapshot of what it was, a city frozen in time (the 1950´s), the old buildings in terrible decay, the old cars, but also the new ones with innumerable plates that show the many echelons’ of society, and the areas of the city totally restored, the emerging new opportunities, the new energy that the city has with its tourism, restaurants, music and their love for live. www.anicaonline.com

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fine art

TENDERNESS. 18" x 16" x 6"

Raquel Rub When assessing the sculptural work of Peruvian artist RAQUEL RUB, we can only wonder ... "how a delicate and fine woman is able to dominate with such mastery the hardness of marble, transforming it into fine art pieces? Raquel gets so soft and sinuous with details of rustic finish, that invite a visual caress of forms; abstraction of the shapes are a constant that speak of the spiritual meaning of the stone, silent witness of eternity to which man renders tribute. The artist shows us this time that the force of passion is certainly very important in life and especially in art, in the language of the soul, and much better if, it delivers an exquisite execution. This encounter with the art will bring us many satisfactions.

— Peter Wilson del Carpio

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UNION. 11.5" x 11.5" x 14"

Anabel Rub Peicher Inspired by nature, it has an organic flow that appeals to the senses. The color blue symbolizing the oceans and skies bring a peaceful and relaxing mood to the observer, while the sinuous curvatures create motion and softness attracting the viewer to caress and explore the piece in visual excitement.

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fine art

ALLEGRO. Sculpture. Mixed Media, 33.5” x 26” x 18”

Carlos Agusto Pereira - Venezuela/USA The Artist was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1965 to a Portuguese family who supported his art career. Carlos, who has shown in the USA for the past ten years, began drawing at the age of nine Graphic Design from the Neumann Institute in Caracas. At Heart Studio, founded in 1998, Carlos creates original artworks and commissioned works on a multitude of Medias. He also teaches painting and drawing at the studio.

My most recent artwork, “Little Creatures”, is the merging of all techniques and medias previously used, coming together at last. Free from academic structures, limitations, and prejudices.

This multi-dimensional artwork is an open doorway for the creative spirit to flow and manifest, here and now, revealing the most important element present in all artistic expression; intention and thought. The essence and perception of the artist. The energy of the maker infused within his work.

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Artwork perpetually radiating these loving energies to all.

Altering consciousness, inspiring, uplifting, and promoting progression. Making something meaningful out of found objects and recycled material.

Artwork that gathers diverse items and fragments of matter from all over the world to communicate beyond our limited vocabularies. A unique assortment of “things” bound by the will of a universal force, through the heart and mind of the artist, attuned to it. The complexity of its components makes it impossible to replicate, making these “creatures” unique, like each one of us.

It’s fascinating to observe each one of these “creatures” taking a life of its own. A new form of existence with purpose. Inspiring artwork that preserves love, goodness, innocence, simplicity, complexity, dignified appreciation, intellectual thought and emotional understanding, or at least, amusement for the eyes. www.heartstudio.com/fine-art-murals

SERIES TIMES SQUARE. Acrylic on Canvas

Chris Delias - Austria “Everything what can become digital will become digital” (said by Benny Landa, the inventor of the Indigo Digital Printing Technology) – and so 3D printing is revolutionizing the way we design and build things, just as digital photos replaced polaroids and photo books replaced the paper album etc.

Several Social Media concepts have tried to digitalize our daily lives and the relationships between humans. These concepts fail for the simple reason that all they do is make our lives more public and predictable.

But: Social Media is just the symptom! The root cause of this sickness is superficiality.

The result of this sickness is what I call “Anti-RealRelationship“. This superficiality is demonstrated in the artificial connections and relationships on various social media. For me it is terrible to see how real friends, real relations and feelings become less important and more voyeuristic.

Of course these social media have revolutionized the way we communicate and have made it easier to stay connected regardless of where we are at any given moment. Everything that makes our lives easier and faster has a chance to be successful, but it leaves a gap between the digital and the real. My art intends to close this gap.

My art has to be seen as a counterpart of this “Anti-RealRelation“ in the actual spirit of time. It should depict emotions, humans, faces in a way that you cannot find in our digitalized society.

For me the spotlight is on the beauty of humanity, it’s my first priority – emotions caused by love, music, harmony and the erotic. But it is not only the sunny side of the world that will be represented in my art – people do not just love one another – they hate and fight – they lose, they feel intense pain and destruction, all of which are part of human interaction.

This is why I love New York, because you can feel this in the city all the time – this beauty of humanity. It is a pulsing city that never sleeps. It is a place hundred percent built by humans and full of humans! Where else can you feel more intense what it means to be human and what it means to be alive?

My work should not show the reality 1:1 – the colors, proportions and poses I use are reflective of my emotions and feelings during the painting process. It is an interactive process between my soul, the model or person and the canvas – an INTERACTIVE REALISM. My art is a projection of the reality to my soul. www.chrisdelias.com www.artandbeyondpublications.com • 19

fine art

SERIES ANGELS AROUND US. Collage. Metallic Paper on Plexiglass, 40" x 40"

Claudia Cebrian - USA Angels around us.

Angels we can’t see are all around us, caring.

Introspection, connecting with ourselves through heart and soul we can connect with them.

A message of universal peace and love. www.claucebrianphotography.com

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GIVE LOVE IN BLACK. Oil on Canvas, 40" x 30"

Diana Bursztyn - Colombia Under the guidance of Professor Carlos Augusto Pereira, Heart Studio, Miami, FL. Diana started painting since 2011 after relocating to Miami from Colombia. Her painting career started in 1998 in her native country.

For her, to paint is to learn to see, before I painted, according to the artist she did not realize that every existing thing has many different colors. “I thought that the sky was blue, but when I looked closer, it has a million shades of blue with a million of shades of gray.”

She is currently developing a series called “Crushed Cans”. The artist tries to have a message of love through which she hopes that each person will be influenced thru her work. This way, every individual on earth will give a little more love every day and then the world will become a better place to live. www.dianabursztyn.com

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fine art

STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS. Installation. Mixed Media.

atmosphere of comfort. Every object drawn or used in the sculptures or installations has a specific meaning and function to the story.

Donna Haynes - USA I’m interested in telling stories. Stories and conversations about people I have encountered, romantic relationships, and conversations with my inner self. Stories make history. I think its important to preserve our history. Text is important in my work.

I have a love of handwriting. Both my grandmothers had connections in this. One grandmother had impeccable cursive handwriting. The other writes the most beautiful letters full of imagination. A lot of my works take the form of books because I find the book a metaphor for self or body. Other pieces come in the form of small interiors. I have been making light box constructions that contain small scenes revealing a story or experience. In my larger installations and sculptures, use pieces of furniture to bring the idea of home or some kind of interior. The furniture creates an

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My working process starts with an idea first. I then do many sketches and often large scale drawings to bring my vision to life. Depending on the concept, I chose various mediums to address my subject. I use varied mediums because I believe the idea should dictate the medium in most cases. In my sculptures, I look for objects that will tell my stories. In my light box constructions, I manipulate furniture pieces to incorporate small interiors. In the interiors every object is crafted. In these interiors I’ve use in variety printmaking, paper sculpture, photography, and paint. Text in my pieces come from many sources. I’ve used typewriters, old letters, journals, and vinyl letters. The text incorporated is many times disguised in the interiors.

The techniques I use include using objects that have specific meaning. I’ve used light box constructions to create small worlds that tell these stories. Each view is a glimpse into an excerpt of life. I use furniture because I think it brings the idea of home or some interior. It creates an atmosphere of comfort.

In resume I can say that when I create my piece of artwork I include the following: 1. I should reflect my philosophy for approaching the creative task.

2. I should identify conceptual, emotional, or social themes important in my work.

3. Simple, direct, and eloquent. www.donnahaynes.com

AMERICA. Oil on Canvas, 30” x 40”

Eva Rimsky - Chile In these last years painting has become an essential building block of my existence. Mixing colors, textures, combining both, have permitted me to release emotions and at the same time dream up visions of my own personal reality.

The onset of my artistic career was deeply influenced by a second migration. The intense pain resulting from it, the adaptation, its consequences and the losses I felt at the time, found its expression in a canvas. Painting embodied a new language through which I was able to communicate feelings, experiences and uneasiness. Nowadays, painting has turned into a genuine passion and component of the air I breathe. www.evarimsky.com

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fine art WAITING. Mixed Media on Canvas, 40” x 30”

Evelyn Walg - Venezuela Art is what evolves my creative process. It is the result of my inner feelings towards the present day relations between human beings. Millions of us are constantly connected through internet, Facebook, twitter, iPhone, etc... But we are not together, there is little touch and no eye contact and therefore many of us feel lonely. My people hold hands, look and touch each other and give each other warmth. They are in motion but they are not alone. I create individuals with no identity but with clear personality.

I enjoy paying attention to each single little person of my canvas as they transmit messages and different energies. They represent and utopian ideal world of happiness, friendship, peace, love and harmony.

I like to use bright colors and heavy textures, it is a way of adding strength to my almost ethereal people stepping, dancing and running on the canvas. www.evelynwalg.com

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AND THIS IS THE PART OF THE STORY WHERE SOMETHING BECOMES A PART OF SOMETHING ELSE. Oil on Canvas, 30" x 40"

Franco K. Mbilizi - Malawi, Africa My journey has been motivated by my search for perfect symmetry/emotional truth/ God. The only real relationship ONE CAN EVER COUNT ON IS THE ONE Man has with his concept of religion or God (belief system).

I believe that colour and geometry can greatly affect how we perceive THIS meaning. Geometry is the branch of mathematics concerned with questions of shape, size, relative position of figures, and the properties of space.

Mathematics is a universal language spoken and used by every living thing on Earth. I believe this search for truth can allow us to glimpse the deepest levels of our belief systems - a brief glimpse of Our Creator.

Through colour and form, I create resonances and contrasts that impact the viewer's emotional being. I also use quantum, molecular and other scientific symbols to create meaning for the viewer. The viewer is left free to think about existence by reacting to the balance of colour and form.

Ultimately, I hope to reveal This Truth by using geometry, science, colour and emotion. Each work may begin with an idea of shape or colour, usually colour first. As the foundation of the painting is created, a sense of what is balanced or true within the piece takes shape. I then build upon the balanced areas, and change the areas that feel false by adjusting colour and shape as needed. It is this constant fight for what resonates as true that allows me to slowly work towards a completed piece. I have put my soul into this collection. It is EVERYTHING to me. I hope it moves u the viewer the way it moves me. www.artbyfranco.com www.artandbeyondpublications.com • 25

fine art

POPPIES. Hand Paintings in Silk, 74" x 14"

Irina Grammatina - Russia Irina was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and began art school at 6 years old. She graduated from the prestigious Mukhina Academy with a Master Degree in Industrial Design.

She successfully sold her paintings full time in Russia and Scandinavia and moved to the US in 1997. She worked in the fashion industry in Palm Beach from 1997 to 2010 when she launched her solo career. All her designs are original and unique. The free hand paintings are created by using brushes and resists, no stencils. Fixed by steam to prevent color fade or wash, they are very durable. www.irinag.com

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WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN. Iphoneography, 12" x 12"

Jaime Ferreyros - Peru/USA Jaime Ferreyros, born in Lima, Peru, is an Emmy Award winning TV producer, and avid iphoneographer.

His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the US and Europe, including the very first iPhoneography exhibits in the world at the Giorgi Gallery in Berkeley, California.

Various newspapers have profiled his work, including the most influential iphoneography websites, magazines, calendars, books and book covers.

Jaime has helped promote iphoneography in Miami, curating shows for the Artspace and The Lunch Box Gallery. His solo shows and exhibits during Art Basel Miami, have awaken the city’s interest for this new art form. https://www.flickr.com/people/42656515@N08/

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fine art

VIOLETA COLUMNA DE VIENTO. Oil on Canvas, 47" x 47"

Lorena Fernandez - Colombia NEW CENTURY LANDSCAPE Lorena has been the symbol of evolution, and her work is the expression of one who moved from the purely conventional and academic to finding a proposal that would describe the reality of our current century.

She was touched by concern over the global system, the warming of our planet, the loss of significance among human beings, concrete buildings, as well as the absence of the romantic landscape we had in the past, in which half of the work dealt with the immensity of the sky; her current creations deal with urban landscape, visual contamination, loss of spaces, turning her horizons in a chromatic play of aesthetics where the treatment of color commits her to the execution of knowledge of the theory behind it.

All this proposal is developed around the silhouettes of the city, of interior windows or views from the inside and the chromatic impact of the sun over the great masses of concrete. Her work has found, little by little, the call of development, a development that sets aside human creativity, to an extent by which we are no longer part of the landscape, and all that remains is the world of 28 • Art & Beyond • ArtExpo NY • Special Edition 2015

concrete, be it cold or hot, but impersonal.

In this scope of things, we have also lost the sky, and this romantic concept has intentionally disappeared from her work, clearly leaving a minute significance of what is wrongly called development. Her recent creations have begun to contaminate with the color of industry, black, gray and dirt tones, and this array of the palette starts taking over, setting aside romantic colors, spreading over the whole of her work, turning immensity into a paradigm that bluntly lessens human preponderance.

Her clearest referral is found in her work “Imbalance”, where she makes us feel the catastrophically earthquake in Chile; or in “Urban Vegetation”, where we perceive a “plantation” of concrete street light posts, linked to a web of electricity and communication wires; or “Landslide”, which reflects an spiritual anxiety concerning natural disasters; or more defined, as with the series “Industrial Zone”, where the consequences for disrespecting the environment are made visible.

HÉCTOR RAMIREZ MORA Curator

ENDLESS PASSION. Acrylic on Canvas, 40" x 40"

Valentina Bilbao - Venezuela/USA For me, painting is like the air that I need to live. Music fills me with energy and feeling. When I start to paint I can feel my heart inside of me dancing to the rhythm. I am ready to dive into a union of painting and music which blend in a harmonious symphony which makes my soul smile.

My Passion for life inspires me to bring positive emotions and thoughts together in my work. From the infinite blue of the sky and sea, to the red and yellow of the sun that melts into the air, to the green of the meadows, and the breeze that makes trees dance. Colors bring my work to life. My paintings carry a message of love, energy, bliss, and passion. Through each stroke of paint I reveal what I have inside, the giant desire to turn the world into a better place. www.valentinabilbao.com

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fine art

SERIES FIESTA TAURINA. Acrylic on Canvas, 40" x 40"

Koqui Handal - Bolivia Crowded the stands close even more the perfect circle in which the show takes place. Everything is color, everything is light and sheen, everything is fatuous.

The people in the stands wave their hats and if one looks, will find a cadence in those movements that greet the party.

And the party is born down there, in the arena, the party that sacrifices the innocent, and those who participate do so wearing gleaming costumes, riding spirited steeds covered with impossible tunics in the colors of the rainbow. And in the middle, always in the middle, it is observed the man wearing the costume of lights, everything in him is shine, everything reflection, everything fine brass sheeting and gold leaf; sequin and glitter. And he is sporting a cape ¡A cape! Completely red, like the color of the blood to be shed –it is hardly ever the bullfighter’s blood- and behind the cape –hidden- arise the sparkles of the long sword, long and sharp, coward and treacherous.

Alone, to one side of the arena, snorting, throwing dirt, is the innocent, in black and white, not in color. The bravest is down there, cowed for the noise, for the movement of hats, for the undulating red cape and the concealed presence of the sword. The animal is still in black and white, albeit at some point the red tint will turn violet in his dark body, for him the party is always forbidden.

I want my painting to be a homage of color to that which is monochrome in the middle of the orgy of pain and blood.

Those are my bulls. The same ones of the arena. But in colors. www.koquihandal.com

30 • Art & Beyond • ArtExpo NY • Special Edition 2015

THE SHIRT ON YOUR BACK. Mixed Media on Canvas, 30" x 30"

Laura Sion - England My Art work is a metaphor for what we carry on our backs! We all have a heavy load to carry and sometimes we miss out on life's treasures! For me it's my Art, my family, my friends, fashion, music Dance, nature and many more! I have tried to express through my art a whimsical, carefree, hip scene! That really in life if you fill every day with color and have a good attitude towards everything, you can pull anything off! Even pink hair! I love the arts, music, fashion, dance, the world is full of beauty! Everything is full of art! I feel that my work represents that have taken plain simple ballet shoes and have hand painted them! I feel when a dancer, dances in their Ballet shoes they also transform them into something magical! I have done the same through my Art! Remember it’s not what you wear it's the way you wear it! I feel that is the way we should look at everything in life! I hope you are all transformed into my world of Art, Fashion, Dance and Funk! www.laurasion.com www.artandbeyondpublications.com • 31

fine art

INFINITY. Metallic Paper on Plexiglass Mounting on Aluminum, 30" x 40"

Maria Ana Davila - Mexico Reflections on water are the thoughts, meditations, ruminations, joy and love, that each of us reflects from oneself.

It is completely personal; it is ourselves looking deep inside, with our own contrasts, focused or unfocused, with our pale or vivid memories, our shadows, lights and sharp edges. We can be quiet or stormy water but there is always beauty.

Through organic abstract art I see that we form part of nature, just as we are stardust, drops of water or reflections on water. We are unique and unrepeatable the same way the water captured in an instant. It will never be the same, I can never repeat the same instant with the same reflections again, and we are like this.

I can see my own reflections on water…

www.madfineartphotography.com

32 • Art & Beyond • ArtExpo NY • Special Edition 2015

MAN AROUND TOWN. Metallic Paper on Plexiglass, 40” x 30”

Mark Taylor - USA Mark Taylor was born in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in a small Virginia town.

After his formal education at the University of Virginia, he made his home in Miami, where he met accomplished artist Carlos Augusto Pereira.

In 2001, Mark began working with Carlos and Heart Studio photographing fine art for portfolio and reproductions, as well as public and private art exhibitions. Mark has a natural talent for capturing and extracting the specific detail and perspective that makes a subject meaningful, unique, and memorable.

While traveling in various parts of the world, Mark’s eye has expertly and artistically captured images that are not only obvious to see, but that convey an emotional story. As stated by the artist, “I feel that the real emotion one feels when they experience a scene or a location can be captured not by selecting the broadest angle of view, but by selecting the most significant of the details seen by the eye. By selecting the truly significant and unique element of a scene, I often recreate the experience of being there”.

With light, angle, color, or shape, Mark’s photos are unexpected, refreshing, and easy to feel. www.heartstudio.com/photography/

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fine art UNTITED NO. 14.

Oil on Canvas. 5” x 4” x 4”

Neke Carson - USA Neke Carson has been described by The New York Times as "a longtime fixture on the downtown art scene". In the early seventies he was point man and chief satirist for the emerging new form of art later to be labeled "performance art".

With a new art show at Paul Fisher Gallery he has returned to painting which was his major at Rhode Island School of Design. The artist explains, “The first time I began working on a series of paintings entitled “Urgent Messages of Extreme Importance” was in 1987. At the time these messages were scrawled on 12”x12” marble slabs.

This time around I took two small canvasses (4x5 inches) and extended one message on to both canvasses. Once finished the two oil paintings are leaned on each other for support making a sort of “A” frame shaped structure.” In one fell swoop Mr. Carson has taken painting off the walls and turned them into sculptures. It is another revolutionary act from a master of revolutionary acts. The urgent messages are embedded in the sculpture/painting. It is up to the viewer to find the key to unlock its meaning. www.nekecarson.com

34 • Art & Beyond • ArtExpo NY • Special Edition 2015

WINDOW WITHOUT A VIEW. Installation. Photography

Niurka Barroso - Cuba/Canada Niurka Barroso is a Toronto-based Cuban Photographer that she uses her body as a symbolic territory to explore her inner being. Her work is related to concepts of identity, memory, and time. As it is based on human experiences, it transcends the limits of her personal realms.

Window without a view is a series of self-portraits conceived as “a happening” in November 2014. The images capture the movement of a body trapped in the narrow space of a window. These photographs exorcise solitudes, sorrows and frustrations provoked by emotional or cultural walls that hinder the free expression of love.

The body is the principal axis of the work and the cross represents the union between feminine and masculine. Paradoxically, this body that wants to escape through the window is itself trapped in a frame; evocating a feeling of claustrophobia and isolation, an unavoidable consequence of the giving that attracts us and suffocates us. www.niurkaphotography.com

www.artandbeyondpublications.com • 35

fine art

TENGO MIEDO TORERO II. Mixed Media on Paper, 46” x 32”

Patricio Moreno Toro - Chile The paintings featured represents a statement about displacement of people and animals caused by war and political persecution, climate change and the impact on nature, and other man-made disasters. A temporary departure from my large-scale paintings on canvas, these new works on paper, using oil, acrylic, watercolor, ink, dye and graphite, were created during the early months of 2014 in my studio in Concón, Chile. No digital intervention was used in the creation of the work. www.patriciomorenotoro.com

36 • Art & Beyond • ArtExpo NY • Special Edition 2015

URBAN MIRROR. Photography.

Metallic Paper on Plexiglass, 40” x 40”

Rafael Muci - Venezuela/USA I’ve been an artist at heart for as long I can remember…

It’s very difficult to talk about oneself, however, I’m sure you’d like to know where I come from, what I did, what I do, and what I plan to do in the future…

First off, I graduated with an architecture degree from Venezuela’s Central University (FAU-UCV) over 14 years ago. At the turn of the century, I found myself in New York, pursuing a Masters Degree in New Media (digital) Arts, at the Interactive Telecommunications Program of New York University.

It was, needless to say, a life changing experience, not only for what I learned, for the friends I made, the things they taught me, and for all of the events that the beginning of this new century brought us, which have led me to see life with humility and sensibility, things I hope to portraying my work.

People ask me to define my work; I laugh at this and say Latin Pop with a twist. But seriously, I have many influences; some come from my Latin heritage, as does the use of color in my work. Other come from my training as an architect, where geometric patterns are prevalent, with an inevitable attraction towards the built environment and urban panorama, and a keen awareness of the fragility of the landscape, and how – for better or worse- we, common folk, affect it. I can’t deny my love of photography, as well as a deep influence of formal arts, sketching and painting, aspects I try to exploit and develop, producing, a very personal, mish-mash style, which, I hope you find an interest in, and here I present to you. http://adnmmail.wix.com/rafamuci

www.artandbeyondpublications.com • 37

fine art

DANCE SERIES 3.

Oil on Canvas, 40" x 30"

Rebeca Bibas - Colombia Rebeca Bibas, better known as “Becky”, was born in Cali, Colombia, and was exposed to the arts since she was a little girl. Born in a family of art collectors and art dealers, her brothers have represented and promoted masters of LatinAmerican art.

Her early years, she received training in most of the art disciplines; acting, ballet, contemporary dancing and piano, just to name a few. Becky was a well-traveled young woman, whose artistic interest made art galleries, museums, and historical landmarks her priority when exploring other countries and cultures. This provided her with an extensive, but non-formal education in the visual arts.

Becky’s duties as a dedicated wife and mother limited her from expressing the artist within, but allowed her to focus on the expansion of her personal art collection. It was not until 2007, when the conditions were right for Becky “the artist” to emerge through her own paintings. As a result of many years of exposure, knowledge, and experience in the artistic field, a new chapter of her life would begin to unfold. With bright colors, bold strokes, and with a delicate balance, she was finally free to express her passionate and inspiring visions of a world where beauty is paramount. Since that day Becky has continued her artistic expression by painting flora in countless different ways and manners. It is not about the fame and fortune for Becky but simply about the art. She hopes to bring the happiness that art brought her to all who view her work. www.rebecabibas.com

38 • Art & Beyond • ArtExpo NY • Special Edition 2015

AUTUMN IN THE PARK. Oil on Canvas, 40" X 30"

Rosy Lofer - Argentina/USA Rosy Lofer was born in Buenos Ares, Argentina. After moving to Miami in the mid 1980’s, Rosy developed a deep appreciation for art, and her passion was kindled by Miami’s rich cultural community. This passion for art, soon grew into a desire to not only appreciate fine art, but to create it from her own heart.

In 2003, Rosy started to recognize her own talent for painting. She began her formal art education in 2004 with artist, Carlos Augusto Pereira at HeArt Studio. Under the direction of this internationally known artist, Rosy’s talent in artistic expression has been taken to new heights. Her magnificent and imaginative paintings captivate the viewer with their rich tones, vibrant color, and inspired themes.

In discussing her work, Rosy says, “Creating each painting brings to me an incredible feeling of peace, tranquility, and positive energy. I believe these are the emotions that others feel when they look at my paintings”. Today, Rosy’s work can be found in private collections in many countries, including Israel, Brazil, Panama, Argentina, Canada, London and in many US States. www.rosylofer.com

www.artandbeyondpublications.com • 39

fine art

INDIA FLAVOURS. Acrylic on Canvas, 24” x 24”

Samah L. Hage - Sweden Samah L. Hage is Swedish-based artist and photographer, originally from Lebanon.

Art has been a keen interest since childhood. An interest which turned into a big passion and everything in-between.

Her road into art and photography took root during her years at school and spare time, with late nights spent teaching herself different paint techniques.

Her work is colorful as well as dark, shifting from feeling to feeling. She finds her inspiration in her daily life paying attention to every single detail around herself. Everything from cigarettes, shoes, hats, feelings, sadness in people’s eyes, a gesture to a face. www.artbysamah.com

40 • Art & Beyond • ArtExpo NY • Special Edition 2015

FLIRTATIOUS 3.

Printed in Plexiglass, 48” x 36”

Tania Bakalarz - Colombia/USA Me: I was born in Beirut, Lebanon, while I was still a young child we immigrated to the United States and then moved to Colombia. My exposure to this diverse set of cultures and backgrounds has had a profound impact on my formation as an artist.

My philosophy: A sense of empathy and tolerance towards different cultures is embedded in my work. Freedom is a gift that not everyone can experience –and expression through art is freedom. Art is ubiquitous and universal and I choose for it to be whatever I want it to be.

My work: I’m on an endless journey to discover different forms of expression through my art. My art is a means of contemplation to create an untouchable world of my own and for those that I can reach. By exploring the use of diverse components I’m afforded with resources and the opportunity to feel an exhilarating independence of expression. Color, elements in space and a variety of materials and tools all merge to result in a setting free of emotions - the outcome is art that simultaneously creates balance, harmony, rhythm, and contrast through sleek smoothness and fearless textures. www.taniabakalarzart.com

www.artandbeyondpublications.com • 41

fine art OPEN YOUR HEART. Oil on Canvas, 48" x 36"

Vanessa Benhamron - Venezuela/USA This art piece was inspired by the different ways we project LOVE. For me LOVE is everywhere, beginning in us and then spreading it in the universe, our environment, our lives and all around us so then we can share it with others. LOVE can transform everything in different ways, but always with a positive energy, so let’s start with my Open your Heart piece to open our hearts to eternal love.

42 • Art & Beyond • ArtExpo NY • Special Edition 2015

BLUE STONES. Acrylic on canvas, 66" x 40"

William Stalhuth - Venezuela/USA A stone ... if it is laying the middle of a road it may seem insignificant to some. But it all depends on who stumbles upon it.

A warrior can turn it into a weapon, like David who defeated Goliath; or Michelangelo who saw the beauty of something as simple as a stone and transformed it into a masterful sculpture.

A stone can serve as a place to rest after a long journey or even as a toy for a child, and was what inspired a man to invent the wheel when he saw it rolling.

Finally, a stone is what the person who comes across it wants it to be.

For me, it was a source of inspiration for these works that are here before you today. A stone has the ability to radiate positive energy and has its own vibration. I wanted to portray the stone as a power generator; I wanted to capture the strength and beauty of a stone through its colors, turning something as simple as a stone into a work of art. www.stalhuth.com

www.artandbeyondpublications.com • 43

art beyond &

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SUCCESS

Art & Beyond was invited by Art Monaco and Art Ibiza 2015 organizers to be a Media Partner for these exclusive Events to present published artists in the Art & Beyond Summer Edition Magazine to number of galleries at the show.

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holds Juriedand Cover and Content Competition toissue its holds Content Cover Competitions for Summer/Fall Annual Special "The Body Beautiful" Issue Multiple winners willContent be chosen: Four artists will The winner of the Competition be awarded to be on the One Covers (Front will be awarded with Full PageCover, Back article Cover, (value Inside of Front Cover and Inside $345.00).

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Apply Online get your art noticed http://www.artandbeyondpublications.com/nude-competition/ http://www.artandbeyondpublications.com/art-beyond-magazine-content-competition /

publisher of

Art & Beyond Publications July 21, July Deadline June 27,2015 2013 Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be published in the

Living Artists of Today: Contemporary Art. vol.III

Artist owned and operated by art professionals. Our goal was to create the most affordable and highly professional publications to help artists self-promote and market their art.

Art & Beyond Publications invites all artists 18 years old and older apply to be published in a series of art books titled Living Artists of Today: Contemporary Art.

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Valentina Bilbao

ENDLESS PASSION. Acrylic on Canvas, 40” x 40”

CURRENT ART GROUP USA A DIVISION OF

CONTEMPORARY ART GROUP USA

Headquartered in Miami, Contemporary Art Projects, USA, is dedicated to nurturing new contemporary art by providing exhibition opportunities and resources for emerging/established artists and curators.

www.contemporaryartprojectsusa.com