From Gallery 1978:
Gallery 1978 proudly presents its Black History Month artist: Juan Antonio Picasso. Juan Picasso, an Afro-Cuban relative of Pablo Picasso, is from Havana Cuba. The exhibit runs from February 13 to March 20, with an opening reception on February 14 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Juan Antonio Picasso is one of forty living descendants of Pablo Picasso’s grandfather who lived in Cuba in the late 1800’s and fathered four children with Cristina Serra, an Afro-Cuban woman.
In the 1999 documentary “Los Picassos Negros” (The Black Picassos), Juan is featured as the only known descendant to make a living as an artist. The Picasso name may have garnered him heightened visibility and comparisons with Pablo Picasso, but Juan’s inspiration is provided by his Afro-Cuban ancestors.
The positive diplomatic shifts between United States and Cuba have revived interest in visiting and experiencing the Cuban culture. Ben Jones, an artist and a retired professor from New Jersey City University, arranged and accompanied many tour groups to Cuba and was the catalyst for connection with Juan Picasso along with Gallery 1978’s curators Nettie Thomas & Evelyn Graves.
Gallery 1978 is located at 1978 Springfield Avenue in Maplewood, NJ, and is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. For off hours viewing, please email 1978artscenter@gmail.com.
The opening reception is February 14 from 2 to 6 p.m. Visit the website for related events: www.1978artscenter.org.
Click on any image below to see a slideshow of Juan Picasso’s art.
