Rafael Soriano: Cabezas (Heads)
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RAFAEL SORIANO: CABEZAS (HEADS) 1 RAFAEL SORIANO: CABEZAS (HEADS) On the cover: Cabeza de un esclavo (Head of a Slave) INTRODUCTION he William Paterson University to be commended for his wholehearted Dr. Sandra DeYoung, Associate Provost for Galleries is honored to present Rafael dedication, refined scholarship, and Academic Affairs Dr. Sandra Hill, Dean of TSoriano: Cabezas (Heads), a show- constructive guidance. Dr. Anreus percep- the College of the Arts and Communication case of over twenty significant artworks tively identified the exhibit’s focus based Daryl Joseph Moore, Associate Dean of the by Cuban-born painter Rafael Soriano on his long-standing connection to the College of the Arts and Communication (1920-2015), who is one of the major Latin artist, intimate knowledge of this body of Loretta McLaughlin Vignier, and Art American artists of his generation. This work, and close conversations with the Department Chair Lauren Razzore. is the first exhibit devoted to Soriano’s artist’s daughter. important series of paintings of heads, This striking publication came seamlessly which are among the artist’s most introspec- I am especially grateful to Hortensia into fruition through the efforts of our tive works. Chronicling this body of work for Soriano, the artist’s daughter and director tremendously talented and efficient over four decades, this presentation reveals of the Rafael Soriano Foundation, for her designer James Wawrzewski. the artist’s development of a unique thoughtful foresight, gracious cooperation, biomorphic and luminous style that evokes unwavering commitment, and persuasive I deeply appreciate the gallery staff for their the spiritual and mystical. As noted by advocacy for this exhibition and its tour. strong work ethic and teamwork. Gallery exhibition co-curator and WP Professor of Rafael Soriano: Cabezas (Heads) would manager Emily Johnsen adeptly handled Art Alejandro Anreus, “Few depictions of also not have been possible without loans a manifold of duties including complex the human head in the past thirty years from the Rafael Soriano Family Collection. shipping and insurance arrangements. achieve the rich pictorial density of these Collections manager Casey Mathern works, as well as their enigmatic philosophi- Rafael Soriano: Cabezas (Heads) will assisted with the handling and care of cal probity.”1 subsequently be on view at the Art Museum artwork. Graduate assistant Angel Fos- of the Americas, Washington, DC, and we uhene, work-study student Jacquelyn The University Galleries initiated this are privileged to collaborate with AMA Portillo, and intern Zoe Smolder aided exhibit at the encouragement of former staff: Director Pablo Zuniga, Curator of with various gallery operations. WP President Kathleen Waldron whose the Permanent Collection and Education academic expertise lies in Latin American Adriana Ospina, and Exhibit Coordinator Finally, we received significant guidance history. This endeavor exemplifies the Fabian Goncalves. and financial support for this venture from University Galleries’ mission to enhance Dean Moore and the William Paterson visitors’ appreciation and knowledge of the In addition, we are grateful to Founding University Alumni Association Lectureship. arts as well as our commitment to promot- Director Ileana Fuentes for presenting this We kindly acknowledge ongoing funding ing cultural diversity. We are increasingly exhibition at the American Museum of the from the New Jersey State Council on the mindful of highlighting Latino and Latin Cuban Diaspora, Miami, FL. Arts, a Partner Agency of the National American artists to reflect our designation Endowment for the Arts. as a Hispanic-serving institution. The University Galleries is thankful for vital support from WP University President Kristen Evangelista We were fortunate to enlist the expertise Dr. Richard Helldobler, Acting Provost and Director, University Galleries of co-curator Dr. Alejandro Anreus, who is Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs 1. Alejandro Anreus, “Cabezas/Heads,” 2012. 2 INTRODUCCIÓN niversity Galleries de William quien debe ser elogiado por su dedicación la doctora Sandra Hill, decana del Colegio de Paterson tienen el honor de presen- incondicional, erudición refinada y guía Artes y Ciencias Comunicación Daryl Joseph Utar a Rafael Soriano: Cabezas, una constructiva. El Dr. Anreus identificó Moore, Decano Asociado de la Facultad de muestra de más de veinte obras de arte perceptivamente el enfoque de la ex- Artes y Comunicación Loretta McLaughlin significativas del pintor nacido en Cuba posición basándose en su extensa Vignier, y la Presidenta del Departamento Rafael Soriano (1920-2015), uno de los conexión con el artista, el conocimiento de Arte Lauren Razzore. artistas latinoamericanos más importantes profundo de su obra y las conversaciones de su generación. Esta es la primera intimas con la hija del artista. Esta extraordinaria publicación llegó a exposición dedicada a la importante serie de su realización sin tropiezos gracias a los pinturas de las cabezas de Soriano, que se Agradezco especialmente a Hortensia esfuerzos de nuestro diseñador tremen- encuentran entre las obras más introspectiv- Soriano, la hija del artista y directora de la damente talentoso y eficiente, James as del artista. Cabezas, con una crónica de Fundación Rafael Soriano, por su cuidadosa Wawrzewski. más de cuatro décadas, es una presentación visión, su amable colaboración, su compro- que revela el desarrollo del artista de un miso inquebrantable y su persuasivo Agradezco profundamente al personal estilo biomorfico y luminoso único que evoca abogar por esta exposición y su recorrido. de la galería por su sólida ética profesional lo espiritual y lo místico. Como lo señaló el Rafael Soriano: Cabezas tampoco hubiera y su trabajo en equipo. La gerente de la co-curador de la exhibición y profesor de sido posibles sin los préstamos de la galería, Emily Johnsen, quien manejó arte de WP, Alejandro Anreus, “pocas Colección de Familia Rafael Soriano. hábilmente una variedad de tareas que representaciones de la cabeza humana incluían complejos arreglos de envío y en los últimos treinta años alcanzan la rica Rafael Soriano: Cabezas, se exhibirá seguro. La gerente de colecciones, Casey densidad pictórica de estas obras, así como posteriormente en el Museo de Arte de Mathern, quien asistió en maniobrar y en el su enigmática probidad filosófica.” las Américas, Washington, DC, y tenemos cuidado de las obras de arte. La asistente el privilegio de colaborar con el personal estudiante de postgrado Angel Fosuhene, University Galleries inició esta exhibición de AMA: el Director Pablo Zuñiga, Curador la estudiante del programa Estudio y a sugerencia de la ex presidenta de WP, de la Colección Permanente y Educación Trabajo Jacquelyn Portillo y la pasante Zoe Kathleen Waldron, cuya experiencia Adriana Ospina, y la Coordinadora de la Smolder, que ayudaron con varias opera- académica radica en la historia de América Exposición Fabian Goncalves. ciones en la galería. Latina. Este esfuerzo ejemplifica la misión de University Galleries de ampliar la apreciación Además, le agradecemos a Ileana Fuentes, Finalmente, recibimos orientación y apoyo y el conocimiento de las artes de los Directora Fundadora del Museo America- financiero significativos para esta empresa visitantes, así como nuestro compromiso no de la Diáspora Cubana, Miami, FL por de parte de Dean Moore y William Paterson con la promoción de la diversidad cultural. presentar esta exhibición. Alumni Associacion Lecturship. Reconoce- Cada día tenemos más presente el destacar mos amablemente el financiamiento a los artistas latinos y latinoamericanos para University Galleries agradece el apoyo continuo del New Jersey State Council of reflejar nuestra designación como una vital del presidente de la Universidad de WP, the Arts, una agencia asociada de National institución al servicio de los hispanos. el Dr. Richard Helldobler, vicepresidente in- Endowment for the Arts. terino y vicepresidente principal de asuntos Tuvimos la suerte de contar con la experi- académicos, la doctora Sandra De Young, Kristen Evangelista encia del co-curador Dr. Alejandro Anreus, directora adjunta de asuntos académicos, Directora, University Galleries 1. Alejandro Anreus, “Cabezas/Heads,” 2012. 3 RAFAEL “ Each man resembles his pain” SORIANO: —André Malraux CABEZAS (HEADS) afael Soriano (1920-2015) was born consider the spiritual aspect of his work, in the small town of Cidra, in the and the development of the metaphysical/ Rprovince of Matanzas, Cuba, and spiritual dimension in Soriano’s mature died in exile in Miami, Florida. He lived a painting.2 In 1943, shortly after completing modest life dedicated to his family and his his studies at the academy, Soriano art; for him this was an adventure in the returned home to Matanzas, where together realm of painting and its metaphysical with fellow graduates, painter Roberto dimension. Soriano was born into a humble Diago (1920-1955) and sculptors Manuel family; his father was a barber and his Rodulfo Tardo (1914-1998) and José Núñez mother was a homemaker; both of his Booth (1919-1993), he helped found the parents were supportive of his artistic School of Fine Arts there. Until Soriano sensibility and encouraged him to study went into exile in 1962, he would serve as art. After the family moved to the city of a teacher as well as director of the school.3 Matanzas, young Rafael began to receive lessons at a private art academy of a local Throughout the 1940s, Soriano’s