Rigoberto Mena is one of Cuba’s most recognized artists. Mena has exhibited in many parts of the world and his work is in the permanent collection of the National Museum of Fine Art in Havana, Cuba. The artist was trained in Cuba, but later studied the works of the Masters in Europe. Mena uses vigorous and expressive brushstrokes to build richly colored and textured canvases. His paintings explore space and depth while grounding his vision in architectural elements.

Encarnación likes to play with juxtaposition to achieve interesting compositions. His work is in constant search of balances and contrasts, which he finds through form and texture. Always seeing what he can remove from the spaces he creates, rather than add, inspired by the relationship held between nature and himself. The artist’s experiences and emotions towards the natural world play a big role in his creative process. Making the work a distilled version of what he sees around him. To allow the work to surprise him, he never sketches, yet establishes a dialogue with the work, sometimes reaching to the deepest parts of himself. Despite the simple shapes, they hold what takes away sleep, what gives life, and brings peace. Painting is a necessity of the spirit that lets him see and share the world from his own window.

Also new to the gallery, artist William Acosta’s paintings are layered with detailed architectural elements, alluring iconography and the human form. Referencing glamorous photographs from advertising and instagram, the artist’s intent is to convey the expectations built in our modern landscape of social media. He reminds us how imbedded imagery informs our subconscious. Acosta’s larger than life beautiful women superimposed over cityscapes are as thrilling as the myth itself.