Remembering one of their own, artists show work

Of the many people who crowded into the Cuban art exhibit last night in the Bob and Penny Fox Gallery in the basement of Logan Hall, there was only one who walked along the ceiling. Footprints paced the floor, walls, and ceiling symbolizing the spiritual journey of Belkis Ayon, a prominent Cuban artist who committed suicide only a few weeks ago. The show -- representing the largest-ever display of Cuban art in Philadelphia -- was dedicated to her memory. Ayon was originally supposed to be present at the exhibit, which features the work of seven world-renowned Cuban artists. "This is something very new to the University," said College senior Milady Nazir, who helped coordinate the program. "Some people call this controversial. Cuban art gets marginalized here because of Cuba's political relations with the United States." But Nazir expressed her hope that the event would attract people from the wider community as well as the University. Indeed, while the artists presenting work now span the world from Switzerland to Philadelphia, all are Cuban-born. "I think it's one of the best exhibits that has been shown at this gallery," said Lilvia Soto, director of the newly opened La Casa Latina, the Penn Center for Hispanic Excellence, which co-sponsored the event. "I don't know how many people know that we have wonderful Cuban artists [in Philadelphia]." Elba Jimenez, one of the coordinators of the event, remarked that Cuban art had more significance because it was more difficult to produce. "They don't have the materials that we have, that we take for granted," she explained. All of the artists, except for Ayon, were present on opening night. After a small dinner was served in the adjacent room, the exhibit's formal opening ceremony began. Special mention was given to the life of Ayon, who had been the leading female art authority in Cuba before her death. Since the Cuban art community was close-knit, she was well known among those present. Gesturing towards Ayon's paintings, Alberto Becerra of the Latino Renaissance Gallery said, "She completed her life mission and she did it excellently," moving several artists to tears. The last photograph taken of Ayon as well as several of her paintings were displayed along with two poems written in her memory. The poems spoke of her love of children and her inner light. The idea for the exhibit came from one of the artists, Pedro Fowler, a political immigrant who now lives in New Jersey. He had wanted to do a series of works portraying the tragic destiny of man in the "New World." Among about 100 attendees for the opening of the exhibit were several students, many of whom were drawn by the rarity of Cuban art. In general, they recommended the event to other students. The exhibit was presented by Cubartists and the Latino Renaissance Art Gallery, which strives to foster Latin American artists locally, as well as La Casa Latina. It will run from September 22 to October 1 and is one of the many Latino cultural events taking place at the University in celebration of Latino Heritage Month.

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