J.Maya Luz Pliego / Bernardo Palombo / Ric Pliego: Three Artists / Three Walls

Although the scope of the work presented is quite broad, the uniting principle of these three artists can be found in a shared theme: using creativity as a means of celebration and transformation

Bernardo Palombo's naïve, expressive style demonstrates his obsession with markings, his curiosity about shapes and colors and therein he reveals his musical sensibility: the markings are rhythmic statements - eye music.

As artistic director of El Taller Latino Americano for the past 25 years we've known him as Spanish Instructor, Musician/Composer, and a well spring of knowledge about Latin American culture, in particular, music. Now, to our surprise we get to know another facet of the man. This exhibition represents many years of work. He has designed murals, flyers and logos for El Taller and various organizations, illustrations for album covers and even children's books, but he had never thought of himself as an "artist". This will be Bernardo's first exhibition at the Latin American Workshop.

Most evident in the work are his spontaneity and a sense of freedom. Many of the images seem to be memories from dreams or from past experiences. His work is, in essence, a true celebration of creativity and life.

While much more formal, we find several similarities in Ric Pliego's constructed boxes. In this sample of work it is apparent that Ric is also drawing upon the past as well as his sense impressions. The pieces are meticulously put together - the objects, paint and textures thoughtfully placed. His skill, which emerged as the result of much study and many years as an Art Director in New York City, is as relevant to his work as his imagination.

These new pieces are memories - the boxes all containing fragments of his life: his travels and wanderings around the world, objects received by old friends. In this exhibition we feel the sadness of letting go of that past and are inspired by his efforts to use creativity as a tool for transformation.

J. Maya Luz Pliego is also influenced by the notion of using creativity as a tool for change and empowerment. Presented here is a small sample from her recently completed project "Dar a Luz - bring to light". This project is a collection of photographs and interviews of women in the ninth month of pregnancy.

Although Ms. Pliego jokingly refers to this project as her "field work" - what truly captivated her query was her desire to transform some of her own images about the world: from the power of fear to the power of creativity. Her women are icons: abundant Goddesses, keepers of life, bastions of peace. For Ms. Pliego, the ninth month of pregnancy is an example, even a metaphor, for the power of creativity, not just for women, but for anyone brave enough to allow themselves to be taken on the journey of personal calling.

There is much that makes each of these artists unique, what unites them is something very crucial: their need to synthesize experience through creativity and through a visual means. In that effort they transform their ideas and evolve (even strengthen) their inner convictions about life.