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LESLEY HELLER GALLERY Manuel Pardo

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NEW YORK CITY — Lesley Heller Gallery is presenting new paintings and works on paper by New York-based Cuban artist Manuel Pardo February 14–March 22. There will be a reception for the artist February 14, 6 to 8 pm.

At the age of 8, Pardo was sent to the United States as part of Operation Pedro Pan, which evacuated 14,048 unaccompanied children out of Cuba, the largest exodus of children in the history of the Western Hemisphere. He and his sister were placed with a family in Wisconsin and were reunited with their mother, Gladys, three and half years later when she was finally able to come to the United States and moved the family to Tarrytown, N.Y.

Pardo’s current exhibition, “Stardust” is an exploration into the memories of his childhood. Pardo creates this work as a tribute to his mother and the sacrifices she made for him, working 16 hour days in a factory to support him. In this body of work, Pardo gives his mother everything she did not have in real life: elaborate hairdos, fancy designer dresses and lavish surroundings, all placed in the time period of his childhood.

Pardo received his BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1978. He has exhibited throughout the United States, Mexico and Europe, including the New Museum of Contemporary Art.

Lesley Heller Gallery is at 16 East 77th Street. For information, 212-410-6120 or www.lesleyheller.com.