Exhibiting Thoughts Of

Past, Present And Future

FAIRFIELD — The Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart University will open its season with the work of 25 Latin American and Caribbean artists on Sunday, September 14, with a reception from 1 to 3:30 pm. The reception is free and open to the public and will feature Latin jazz performed by The Carole Sudhalter Duo.

The exhibit, “In the Realm of the Absurd,” was curated by Nohra Haime of the Nohra Haime Gallery in New York City. The exhibit presents a diverse group of artists who represent the different Latin American cultures within a culture. With a multitude of techniques, the artists talk about their thoughts – the present, past and future.

“In the Realm of the Absurd” features works by Susana Jaime-Mena of Argentina; Lydia Azout, Adriana Carvahlo, Vik Muniz, Gabriela Machado and Daniel Senise of Brazil; Benjamin Lira, Francisca Sutil and Jorge Tacla of Chile; Maria Fernanda Cardoso, Oscar Muñoz, Maripaz Jaramillo and Nadin Ospina of Colombia; Jose Bedia and Juana Valdes of Cuba; Hugo Bastidas of Ecuador; Luis Gonzalez-Palma of Guatemala; Monica Castillo, Flor Garduno, Javier Marin and Betsabee Romero of Mexico; Ramiro Llona and Ana de Orbegoso of Peru; and Arnaldo Roche-Rabell of Puerto Rico.

In describing the exhibition, Nohra Haime wrote: “In an age of globalization and of the Internet, a new need for individuality and humanity is fast appearing. While the Internet breaks frontiers, speeds up our lives and dehumanizes interaction, identity is becoming more and more important. Life experience marks us, and in Latin America, where we never know what tomorrow may bring, life is lived to its fullest and nothing is taken for granted. It is up to us as individuals to create our future because it will not be done for us.

“What distinguishes Latin American art is its passion, its thirst for expression, a wandering into the impossible,” she continued. “It reveals a sense of family, a grandness of spirit and the possibility of magic. Whatever the subject or the premise, the work of art vibrates, suffused with an energy stemming from the artist’s inner core. Even the most conceptual and intellectual works relate, define or lead toward a cry for help – for us, all of humanity and not the selfish impulse. It is not about our small problems but about humanity, about awareness, about denouncing in the hope of changing…it is about life.”

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Ms Haime has been director of the Museum of Modern Art and also of the National Restoration Center in Bogotá. She has taught art history at the college level and is the author of more than 60 published articles on art. In 1980, she opened her gallery, which specializes in international contemporary art.

The exhibition will remain on view until November 6.  Gallery hours are noon to 5 pm Monday through Thursday, and 1 to 4 pm on Sunday. The gallery will be closed Columbus Day weekend.

For further information contact gallery director Sophia Gevas at 203-365-7650 or visit www.ArtGallery.SacredHeart.edu.