Magical Realism Of A Cuban Dreamer
The Blessed Intoxication of Luis E. Toledo del Rio.
Born in Santa Clara in Cuba in 1989, Luis' work opens a door to a dreamlike magical world, where he creates a parallel universe, a personal reflection of reality. The characters living there emerge from a personal unconscious state, converging in this esoteric world where they have conflicts, express their different ideas in their own language, have traditions and goals; all based on their individual essence. "Not satisfied by the world we live in, I create a surreal refuge that helps me face everyday life... For me, every piece is a representation of a living memory. I remove organic and physical presences from my world and transfer them into this magical place as a creative recourse".
Luis believes that the influence received during childhood and throughout the years is relevant for one's personal growth. As a child, he saw his father study the great artists from the Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque among others. At the same time, his imagination expanded seeing his mother giving life to characters from short stories and comic books. As an actress performing in children's theaters, her ability to communicate through puppets and marionettes foster Luis' need to find spaces beyond reality. His grandmother's children's stories also influenced him; in them, we often held the leading roles. The series "A dream within a dream" births these characters by connecting ideas from the artist's imagination with their own thoughts and desires.
“I come from a family of artists, but of different manifestations: Painting, theater, literature. Since childhood that was my world. My mother, a puppet theater actress, my well-known fine-artist father and my grandmother, poet and narrator with a dozen books published, fed my inclination for art.”
“With most of my works, I do not know what I’m going to paint. I sit in front of the blank canvas and start to dream, to look for stories; they can be anecdotal or not, of those fantastic, idyllic places where reality is disconnected, to create magical places, characters that have a life parallel to the one we live.
I do not like to be tied to a copy of reality because I create my own reality. If there are always women [in my paintings] it’s a matter of taste. In my work, I pursue beauty, and for me there is nothing more beautiful than the woman.”
Exhibitions
2020
“Lucky 13”, Miami, EEUU“5 years in Heaven”, New York, EEUUOpening in Natchez, EEUU“Midnight in the Garden of God and Evil”
2019
“No method to our madness” , Miami, EEUU“Idols of the Tribe”, Miami EEUU.Hotel Colonnade, Coral Gables, EEUU“Hallucinations” Miami, EEUU“Escorpio 1969” Miami, EEUULos Angeles, California, EEUU
2018
“Return to Order” , Miami EEUU
2017
Los Angeles, California EEUU“Sueños Lúcidos”, Posada del Tepozteco, Tepotzlan,Mx.“Context” New York“Visual Therapy”, Miami EEUUCOCO Art Gallery, Miami EEUUThe Frank C. Ortis Gallery, Pembroke Pines, EEUUContext, Art Basel, Miami EEUU
2016
“Spectrum”, Miami, EEUU“ART New York”“Magical Tranquility”, Miami, EEUU.”Technique Art Fair” at Shelborne Hotel, Miami EEUU“Art Basel” , Miami EEUU
2015
“ART New York”“ART Santa Fe” EEUU
2014
“Hotel Occidental Miramar “Ciudad Habana, Cuba“ART New York” EEUU“ART Santa FE” EEUUSan Diego, California, Miami, EE UU“Spectrum”, Miami, EEUU
2013
“Hotel Quinta Avenida” Ciudad Habana, Cuba
2012
“Hotel Presidente” Ciudad Habana, Cuba“Hotel Occidental” Ciudad Habana, Cuba
2011
Participación en la 11 Bienal de La Habana. Ciudad Habana, Cuba
2010
Salón Provincial de Arte. Galería Provincial de Artes Plásticas Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba“Viaje a la Semilla”. Galería Provincial de Arte. Santa Clara, Villa Clara, CubaGalería “Tacones Lejanos” Mejunje Santa Clara, Villa Clara, CubaGalería “Pórtico”, Asociación Hermanos Sainz. Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba
2009
Salón de Estudiantes de la Escuela de Instructores de Arte “Manuel Ascunce Domenech”. Santa Clara, Villa Clara, CubaGalería Provincial de Remedios, Villa Clara, Cuba
2008
Salón de Estudiantes de la Escuela de Instructores de Arte “Manuel Ascunce Domenech”. Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba
Awards, Mentions & Publications
2018 Publication in front Ccover COCO magazine2017 Publication in “Estatusuio” magazine Ecuador 2017 Publication in “Estatusuio” magazine Ecuador2016 Publication in “ Luxury The Art Issue” magazine EEUU2016 Publication in “ Opulence’’ magazine EEUU2016 Publication in “Art World news” magazine EEUU2015 Participación en el documental de arte cubano “Alumbrones”realizado en Ciudad Habana, Cuba, se hizo el lanzamiento en EE UU2015 Publicación en la portada del “The Wall Street Journal”, EE UU2015 Publication in “Opulence Extreme Cuisine’’ magazine EEUU2010 Colaboración con la revista “Guamo” Centro de investigación“Samuel Feijoo” de Santa Clara. Villa Clara, Cuba2010 Colaboración con la revista “Guamo” Centro de investigación“Samuel Feijoo” de Santa Clara. Villa Clara, Cuba2009 Gran premio en el 7 salón en la Escuela de Instructores deArte “Manuel Ascunce Domenech” Santa Clara. Villa Clara, Cuba2008 Premio y mención en el 6to Salón en la Escuela de Instructoresde Arte “Manuel Ascunce Domenech” Santa Clara. Villa Clara, Cuba
