Rainbow Serpent Catalog

Pinecrest Gardens. Hibiscus Gallery. Sept 1st- Sept 28, 2016
RAINBOW SERPENT
Alexander Richard Carbonell

Rainbow Serpent
Alexander Richard Carbonell
H i s b i s c u s G a l l e r y . P i n e c r e s t G a r d e n s .

Alexander Richard Carbonell 1
“Rainbow Serpent”
Understanding the universe entails classification, establishing relationships and drawing conclusions. Con-
clusions however, will always come numbered: idea number 1, 2, 3 and so on, until our head explodes.
Ideas are always partial. Grasping the immensity of the universe is impossible, yet we persist in trying even
though our finitude keeps us from accessing the Whole. The solo exhibition “Rainbow Serpent” by Alexander
Richard Carbonell —in the Hibiscus Pinecrest Gardens Gallery, September 1 to 28 2016— explores that human
dream of understanding the essence of the universe.
From his vast artistic production, the artist carefully selected for this exhibition eleven large-format works of
mixed media on canvas, which reveal his view of the world. In “Rainbow Serpent”, for example, the Mayan cal-
endar, the Cuban Ireme, a race car, an airplane and a cruise ship revolve, blend, melt and become a massive
snake. The mighty snake reveals Richard Carbonell’s affiliation to a philosophy that holds the universe as a unit
in which humans, animals, religion, science, mind and matter are part of a continuum where there is no separa-
tion. For the artist, nature is all that exists and it manifests in different, infinite forms, of which humans can ap-
proach only two: body and soul.
The style and technique used by Richard Carbonell support a monistic philosophy, or the understanding of the
world as a unit. Consistent with this strand of thinking, his paintings show the abstract and the figurative as a
totality called Art, never as opposites. The being (man, woman) slowly transforms into animal and, at the end (or
is it the beginning?), dilutes in lines and spots that move in an infinitely centrifuged composition.
The artist applies the same concept to color treatment. For him, color means more than a simple classification
in warm, cold, neutral and complementary. In his works, colors are separated and combined, fused and con-
fused in mere expression. The mixed technique of acrylic paint on silicone resin confers the artwork the spon-
taneity and tridimensional quality its concept demands. However, Richard Carbonell is not satisfied, he is not
polarized, so he gives a final, two-dimensional, controlled touch: drawing lines with black ink. These elaborate
and precise details are integrated naturally, gently, to the freedom of color and spot. And the whole universe
revolves and fuses in the realm of infinite totality, where there is no beginning, or end.
Miami, July 23th 2016
Written by: Marlene Martinez. Art exhibition curator
Translated by: Julio Llerena.

Alexander Richard Carbonell2
“Dynamics of the Body in its Interaction with the Universe”
Capturing the speed and transformation of the contemporary world has been the subject of attention of art-
ists whose cultural foundation was developed between the 20th and 21st centuries. The way in which such
haste distorts what we perceive and comes to us as information is captured by the Cuban painter and Print-
maker Alexander Richard Carbonell in this exhibition that brings together eleven of his works. Born in Havana,
Cuba in 1971, Richard studied (1985-1997) at some of the most prestigious art academies in Cuba, including
the Academy of San Alejandro from which many internationally renowned Cuban artists have emerged whose
works are shown in the most famous museums and art galleries in the world. In 1997 Alexander immigrated to
the United States and currently resides in Miami where he develops his artistic creations.
Alexander studied drawing, painting, and Printmaking. These three artistic processes are present interchange-
ably at the center of his creations. With nine personal and more than 40 collective exhibitions, the artist invites
us with these images to reflect on the relationship of the body with the universe within the terrestrial and cosmic
field, using as a vehicle the merger of the human element with traditionally well-known symbolic animal rep-
resentations. As they merge with the human figure, these animals, which have been used as totems by indig-
enous tribes in different parts of the planet for generations and generations, acquire special significance in the
paintings that are part of this exhibit. The antelope, symbol of action, knowledge, and intuition appears in more
than one canvas--The Golden Legion; Essential Self; Unrestrained; The Holy Herald. The Tiger, a symbol of
power and passion, also recognized by its strength to confront adversity, appears in two of the works—Constel-
lation; Perpetual Reborn. The serpent --Rainbow Serpent-- considered a totem of change, immortality, wisdom
and the mystery of life; and the crocodile --The Water Stream; The Pendulum; The Human Race-- which for
some tribes cleanses the deepest emotions.
Art will always have multiple options for interpretation; each person interprets what has been created according
to their knowledge, academic and cultural training, their roots, their family education and their integration in the
world that surrounds us. Based on this premise, my personal reading of this work sees three thematic groups:
The first refers to the creation and interaction with the universe—Constellation; Perpetual Reborn; Universe and
Existence-- the second proposes to look at the interrelationship between human beings and their environment,
their world, their universe --The Golden Stream; The Pendulum; The Human Race; The Holy Herald; Rainbow
Serpent; Livestock. Lastly, three works that interchangeably refer to aspects that bring into line the personal-
ity and some of its manifestations, such as the ability to dominate the body with the mind--The Head Leads the
Body. Loyalty to personal principles --Essential Self-- and the character to rebel against everything without bar-
riers --Unrestrained.
The artist articulates his aesthetic dialogue with the use of vibrant colors and firm strokes, showing a careful
command of expressionism in the most orthodox way, reminiscent of the works of German masters at the be-
ginning of the 20th century, such as Emil Nolde, Ludwig Kirchner, among others, as well as the natural assimila-
tion of other elements of the artistic avant-garde, also in the 20th century, including Futurism which advocated
appreciation of the beauty of speed and elevated the violent movement of the world and nature.

In these works, the dynamics of the human body in its interaction with the universe, reveal a rich range of pos-
sibilities of expression with a set of ideas that lie as a common denominator to the collective work: the speed
and the perpetual motion of the universe that separates and unites, blends and transforms, provokes and es-
capes… in a constant delivery of subjects which are renewed by the impact of the interactivity and urgency to
achieve their desires.
Miami, August 8th 2016
Written by: Maria C. Cumana, M.A. Art exhibition curator
Translated by: Marlene Montenegro, M.S.

BIOGRAPHY
Alexander Richard Carbonell was born in Havana, Cuba in 1971. He made the elementary studies in the Es-
cuela Elemental de Artes in Havana, Cuba. Later, he studied painting from 1989 to 1992 in the Academia
de Artes “San Alejandro” in the same city. He completed university studies at Instituto Superior de Artes (ISA) in
Havana, Cuba, graduating in 1997 with honors. Besides that, he also served as a Professor for 4 years in “San
Alejandro” Academy where in addition to teaching he worked in tutoring, counseling and was jury for graduation
thesis.
Richard Carbonell has had exhibitions of his artwork in painting, drawing and printmaking in Cuba, United States,
Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Japan, Colombia and Puerto Rico. Lately,
he had an important Solo Exhibition during july and august 2015, “Visiones Soñadas”, at the Sala Siglo XXI, Mu-
seo de Arte Contemporáneo de Huelva, Spain. Through 2015 he had several group exhibitions such as: “Seventh
Juried Biennal All Media” at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, “Artistic License” Gallery 91 Design District,
“Art is priceless” juried exhibition at Pinecrest Hisbiscus Gallery, etc. In the last one, he received a price for Best
in show.
Richard Carbonell artwork is in collections like: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Huelva, Spain; Museum Cen-
tre de la Gravure et de l’Image imprimée, Belgium; Lowe Art Museum, Miami; Essex Collection of Art from Latin
America, UK; Peter Ludwig Collection, Germany; etc.
He lives and works in Miami, Florida.
Full resume on pages ( 19-21)

ARTWORKS

Constellation
Silicone resin, black ink and acrylic paint on canvas 75 inches x 100 inches. 2015

Perpetual Reborn

Universe and Existence

The water stream, the pendulum, and the human race

The head leads the body

The Golden Legion

Unrestrained

Essential Self

Livestock

Rainbow Serpent

The Holy Herald

RESUME

Collections
- Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Huelva. Huelva, Spain.
- Lowe Art Museum. Miami, US.
- Museum Centre de la Gravure et de l’Image imprimée, Belgium.
- ESCALA, Essex Collection of Art from Latin America, United Kingdom.
- Peter Ludwig Collection.
- Fundación Joseph Comaposada. Cataluña, Spain.
- Works in Private Collections in Puerto Rico, Spain, Colombia, Sweden, Switzerland and Japan.
One man exhibition:
2015 “Visiones Soñadas”. Paintings and Printmaking Exhibition. Sala Siglo XXI, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
de Huelva. Huelva, Spain.
2003 “Up”. Paintings and Printmaking. Vision Gallery. LA, California.
2001 “Cuban Artists”. Paintings Exhibition. The Wallflower Gallery, Miami, FL.
2000 “El Monte”. Paintings Exhibition. South Art. Miami, FL.
2000 Etching. Printmaking Exhibition. South Art. Miami, FL.
1997 “The World in me”. Instituto Superior de Artes. Havana, Cuba.
1995 “El Hongo”. Virtual painting. Havana, Cuba.
1992 “Deus Gratias”. San Alejandro Academy of Arts. Havana, Cuba.
Group Show Exhibitions:
2015 “Art is Priceless”. Pinecrest Gardens Hibiscus Gallery, Miami, FL.
2015 “Seventh All-Media Juried Biennial”. Art and Culture Center of Hollywood. Hollywood, FL.
2015 AI The Art Institutes. Miami, FL.
2015 “Artistic License”, Gallery 91, Design District. Miami, FL.
2014 Latinomerican Art at Baxxter Galleries.UK
2014 AI The Art Institutes. Miami, FL.
2013 “Grabado en la memoria”. Universidad de las Artes. Havana, Cuba
2010 “Todo lo que hace pensar”. Bombardi Gallery. Medellín, Colombia.
2009 South Art Project. New York. USA
Education
1992-1997 Instituto Superior de Artes (ISA). Havana, Cuba. University Degree.
1989-1992 San Alejandro Academy of Arts. Havana, Cuba. College Degree in Fine Arts.
1985-1988 Elementary School of Arts. Havana, Cuba. Junior College Degree.
Also from 1995 to 1999 he worked as a Professor of Drawing, Painting and Printmaking at San Alejandro
Academy of Arts. Havana, Cuba. Duties included teaching, tutoring, advising, and participate as a committee
member of graduation thesis.
Awards
2015 Best in Show, “Art is Priceless”. Pinecrest Gardens Hibiscus Gallery, Miami, FL.
1998 Honor Mention, II Bienal del Grabado Latinoamericano y del Caribe. Barranquilla, Colombia.
1993 1st Prize at Encuentro de Grabado. Centro Provincial de Artes Plásticas y Diseño. Havana, Cuba.
1993 Fondo Cubano de Bienes Culturales. Havana, Cuba.

2008 Robert Preiss Art Gallery. Lincoln Road. Miami Beach, FL.
2007 “Finding a Clue”. Group show at Bank Atlantic, Miami, FL.
2007 Group Show at Doral Golf Club. Doral. Miami, FL.
2006 “On the Corner”. Alternative Art Space. London, UK
2006 Latinoamerican Art, Painting and Photography Exhibition, South Art Gallery. Miami, FL.
2005 “Arte de Cuba”. Galleria Conección. San Juan, Puerto Rico.
2004 “Reflection”. Sacred Entertaiment in association with Seacoast Suites Hotel. Miami Beach, FL.
2004 “Vision”. Sacred Entertaiment in association with Seacoast Suites Hotel. Miami Beach, FL.
2003 “Harmony Peace and Love”. Painting and Sculpture Exhibition. One Brickell Square, Miami, FL.
2003 Show Exhibition at Biltmore Hotel. Miami, FL.
2002 “Hecho en Miami”. The Cuban-American Artist Society. GDS Gallery. Miami, FL.
2002 “Forms and Colors of Hispano-American Art”. Iberoamericana International Magazine and International
Finance Bank. Miami, FL.
2002 “The Harmony of Contrasts”. The Cuban-American Artists Society. Brickell. Miami, FL.
2002 Sociedad Cultural Santa Cecilia. Florida International University. Miami, FL.
2000 “Latin American Artists will unite in order to fight!” WOA Gallery, Miami, FL.
2000 “The Green Door Bells Exhibition”. Green Door Gallery, Miami, FL.
1998 XII Bienal de San Juan del Grabado (printmaking) Latinoamericano y del Caribe. San Juan, Puerto Rico.
1998 II Bienal del Grabado (printmaking) Latinoamericano y del Caribe. Barranquilla, Colombia.
1998 Estampa 98. Barcelona, Spain.
1998 Contemporary Latin American Artists. South Art. Miami, Florida.
1998 Pintura Contemporánea de la Academia Nacional de San Alejandro de Cuba. ARCI, Nuova Associazione.
Italy.
1997 Printmaking Exhibition. University of Konstfack. Stockholm, Sweden.
1997 “La Matriz en Cierne”. Facultad de Artes de la Universidad de Antoquia. Medellín, Colombia.
1997 “Pescao Grande”. Taller Experimental de Gráfica. Havana, Cuba.
1997 “La Huella Múltiple”. Centro de Desarrollo de las Artes Visuales. Havana, Cuba.
1997 Exposición de Pinturas. Galería Servando Cabrera Moreno. Havana, Cuba.
1996 V Bienal de Grabados. Premio Julio Prieto Nespereira. Orense, Spain. Also exhibited in Brazil and Ven-
ezuela.
1996 Grafusche Nerke Und Skulpturen Aus Kuba. Sweden.
1996 The 3rd Kochi International Triennal Exhibition of Print. Kochi, Hormachi. Japan.
1995 Kuba Kunst Heute Grafiksammlung Stiftung. Schreiner/Stadtgalerie Bamberg. Bad Steben, Germany.
1995 International Print Biennial. Kawakawa, Japan.
1995 XI Bienal Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Grabado. San Juan, Puerto Rico.
1995 “Rompiendo la Rutina”. Unión Nacional de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba (UNEAC). Havana, Cuba.
1995 “Arte de Cuba”. Fundación Joseph Comaposada. Cataluña, Spain.
1995 “La Joven Estampa”. Casa de Las Americas. Havana, Cuba.
1994 III Bienal Internacional de Grabado. Premio Julio Prieto Nespereira. Orense, Spain.
1994 “No Valen Guayabas Verdes”. V Bienal Instituto Superior de Artes (ISA). Havana, Cuba.
1993 “Encuentro de Grabado”. Centro Provincial de Artes Plásticas y Diseño. Havana, Cuba.

1993 “La Joven Estampa”. Casa de Las Americas. Havana, Cuba.
Publications
2015 “Las Visiones Soñadas de Richard Carbonell llevan al Museo la poética de lo clásico, lo popular y lo
místico” http://www.diphuelva.es/noticias/6225_exposicion-de-richard-carbonell
2015 “El artista cubano Alexander Richard Carbonell expone en la Siglo XXI” http://www.campinaande-
valonoticias.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2217:el-artista-cubanoalexander-richard-
carbonell-expone-en-la-siglo-xxi&catid=99:cultura&Itemid=662
2015 “Alexander Richard Carbonell. El silencioso habitante del ruido”. https://criticaenelmargen.word-
press.com/tag/alexander-richard-carbonell/
2002 Ibero-American International Magazine, October - December 2002, year 8, no. 21, Miami, Florida, United
States. PAG.29.
2000 Magazine Generation Ñ, “The medium and the message: the Art of Alexander Richard Carbonell”, volume
V, no. 42, Miami, Florida, United States. PAG.17.
1998 Contemporary painting Catalogue of the Academia Nacional “San Alejandro” of Cuba. ARCI Nuova Asso-
ciazione, Italy. PAG.39.
1998 Catalogue XII Biennial of San Juan of the Latin American and Caribbean Printmaking, San Juan, Puerto
Rico. Pp. 127-251.
1998 Catalogue II Biennial of Latin American and Caribbean Printmaking. Barranquilla, Colombia. Page 10.
1998 Catalogue Estampa 98. Barcelona, Spain. PAG.56.
1997 Magazine Vivarium, Center of Archdiocese studies, Archbishop of Havana, May 1997, Num. XV. Havana,
Cuba. Illustrations on the cover and pags.1, 2, 9, 12, 15, 27, 30, 38, 40, 43, 47, 51, 53, 56, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68,
70, 71, 72, 73, 75, 77 and 79.
1997 Catalogue Contemporary Art of the Caribbean and Sweden, Printmaking. Collaboration between Univer-
sity of Konstfack, Stockholm, Sweden and the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) Havana, Cuba. PAGs.15 and 17.
1996 Catalogue Grafische Werke und Akulpturen aus Kuba. Zurich, Switzerland. Page 8.
1996 Catalogue IV Internacional Biennial of Printmaking, Prize Julio Prieto Nespereira. Caixa Ourense, Spain.
Pp. 112 and 162.
1996 Catalogue The 3rd Sapporo International Print Biennale Exhibition. Sapporo, Japan.
1996 Catalogue The 3rd Kochi International Triennial Exhibition of Prints. Kochi, Japan.
1995 Catalogue The 18th International Independent Exhibition of Prints in Kanagawa’95. Kanagawa, Japan.

Director at Pinecrest Gardens: Alana Perez
Exhibition and Catalog Coordinatio: Alina Rodriguez
Curators: Marlene Martinez, Maria Cumana
Texts: Marlene Martinez
Text translation: Marlene Montenegro
Text translation: Julio Llerena
Artwork: Alexander Richard Carbonell
Special thanks to:

Pinecrest Gardens. HibiscusGallery.

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