"Rafael Tufino: Painter of the People"
2003-03-14 until 2003-08-24
el museo del barrio
New York, NY, USA

Rafael Tufino (b. Brooklyn, 1922) is one of the central figures in the history of 20th Century Puerto Rican art. A versatile artist in many media, Tufino has been a major force in founding and furthering modern Puerto Rican art--both on the Island and in the Caribbean Diaspora. This landmark exhibition was organized by The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, San Juan; and was curated by Dr. Teresa Tio, a prominent scholar of Puerto Rican art, and Director of the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena.

This comprehensive exhibition will feature more than 150 works including paintings, drawings, prints and posters. The works on view span a period of more than 65 years from the 1930s to the present. The exhibition will include works from his early period influenced by Mexican realism. In later works, he experiments with abstracting forms and exploring his remarkable sense of color.

Tufino’s works depict life both in urban New York, and pre-industrial Puerto Rico. While the artist’s work often celebrates popular traditions, including folk artists, religious and secular festivals, Tufino remains committed to fostering the appreciation of the Island’s African cultural contributions, especially as expressed in dance and music. Tufino’s images have become a trademark of Puerto Rico’s rich cultural heritage.

The mission of El Museo del Barrio is to present and preserve the art and culture of Puerto Ricans and all Latin Americans in the United States.

El Museo del Barrio is located at 1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street, and may be reached by subway: #6 to 103rd St. station; or by bus M1, M3, M4 on Madison and Fifth Avenues to 104th St; local cross-town service between Yorkville or East Harlem and the Upper West Side in Manhattan M96 and M106 or M2. Museum Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. Suggested admission: $6 Adults; $4 Students and Seniors. Free for members and children ages 12 and under accompanied by a parent or guardian. To learn more about El Museo del Barrio, visit: www.elmuseo.org.

IMAGE:
Rafael Tufino
La Plena 1967
Serigraph
Collection of El Museo del Barrio

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for the State of New York

Other Important Exhibitions in New York