Gallery of Universal Art Alejo Carpentier
CAMAGÜEY.- Two exhibitions celebrate the careers of notable sons: The Whistle of Silence by Agustín Bejarano and Patrimonies of Cuba by Bienvenido Letford. Both artists, with different styles and paths, pay tribute to their hometown with exhibits that summarize decades of dedication to art.
The Julián Morales gallery at the UNEAC hosts the exhibition Los 45 by Bienvenido Letford, a celebration of 45 years dedicated to art by this painter who has made his hometown not only his home but also his greatest inspiration. The show consists of 15 urban landscapes, a recurring theme in his work, capturing the essence of Camagüey with the delicate language of 19th-century Impressionism. Each brushstroke is a tribute to the streets, corners, and everyday moments that become visual poetry under his expert hand.
On the other hand, the Alejo Carpentier Gallery presents a retrospective of Agustín Bejarano, marking 40 years of creative work with a selection of pieces that span his multifaceted career. This exhibit combines recent paintings, such as his 2022 acrylics on canvas, with plastic prints from the 1990s, lithographs from the 1980s, and digital prints from the La Coqueta series from the early 2000s.
This technical diversity reflects Bejarano's evolution and versatility, as an artist who has conquered the world. The iconic figure of the man with his back turned, wearing a hat, who appears throughout his work, is a metaphor for introspection and the weight of existence, depicted in settings rich in symbolism.
Although their paths differ—Bejarano has taken his art around the world, while Letford has found his creative center in Camagüey—both share a deep connection with their city. Bejarano returns with an exhibit that symbolizes the bridge between his origins and his present, while Letford reaffirms his commitment to local art and his influence on generations of Camagüey's citizens, as a teacher and creator.
These two exhibitions, open until the end of January, celebrate the richness of Camagüey's art in its diversity. They also remind us of the role that art plays in building a sense of identity and belonging and how Camagüey continues to be an inexhaustible cradle of talent and sensitivity.
Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez