Exhibition Of Rare Cuban Artworks

Man with a character: A photograph of Don Alejandron Robaina by Esteban E.Diaz.

Collection represents works by different generations of artists

WHAT do the best cigars and the sultry salsa have in common? They are both synonymous with Cuba.

"The cigar and salsa music or dance need no introduction when it comes to Cuba.

"But we also have a strong art movement in the country," said Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia Pedro Monzon Barata.

Barata said artists from each province in the country belonged to a visual art council which helped to promote their artworks.

This week, Malaysians will have a chance to view some of these works as the Embassy has brought in a large collection of artworks by a group of Cuban visual artists.

Entitled Independence, Presumption and Convergence: A Homage to Malaysia's Independence through Cuban Art, the exhibition features more than 100 pieces by 40 Cuban artists. Also included in the exhibition are photos taken by their local photographer.

The artists are from Pinar del Rio province on the western part of the island.

The exhibition will be held at Balai Seni Maybank in Kuala Lumpur from tomorrow until June 22.

"This is the first time the collection is going on display outside Cuba and it is a chance for Malaysians to see them. It is our way of paying homage to Malaysia's 50th Independence celebration," Barata said at the press conference for the exhibition.

Also present at the press conference, held at Menara Maybank on Thursday, were exhibition curator Ricardo Ruiz Cordova and one of the artists, Carlos Ulises Bretana Hevia.

The collection represents a wide variety of styles executed in various mediums.

According to Barata, the collection represented works by different generations of Cuban artists, reflecting their own experiences, techniques and concepts, The works reflect the country's landscape, people and culture.

"A common theme in the collection is the cigar, which has become part of life in Pinar del Rio province. Pinar del Rio is known to produce the best cigars in the world," he said.

"Viewers will see the theme represented in various ways in the artwork& and especially life in the tobacco plantation," he said.

The collection even features Don Alejandm Robaina, dubbed "the king of tobacco", Robaina was photographed by Estaban E. Diaz.

Several of the paintings feature the serene landscape of the province, Scenes of green valleys with palm trees and rivers are particularly soothing, Also featured are abstract pieces.

Asked about the meaning of the title for the exhibition, Barata said it represented the independence of the artists' creativity in their work in paying homage to Malaysia's 50^th Independence celebration.

"This is an opportunity for us to converge with Malaysians at art galleties and, hopefully, these artworks will provide a link to strengthen our bilateral relationship," he said.

The artworks are also for sale with part of the proceeds to be donated to charity.

The pieces are priced between RM3,500 and RM14,000.

A link to strengthen ties: First Barata (right) with Carlos Ulises Bretana Hevia, one of the artists whose works will go on display.

Vibrant: A painting by Ulises Bretana entitled 'La Viajera', which will be among the pieces on display.

Serena: A scene of a valley with palm trees, reflecting the landscape in Pinar del Rio province, Cuba.


Oil painting: An oil painting by Raul Garcia entitled 'Paisaje 2', which will be on display.

Slow Learners Show Their Creative Side

Creative: Key holders with flower flower motif.
For all occasions: Greeting cards designed by the participants.

Versatile: A painted glass container (above) for daily use.
For the kitchen, too: A towel holder that is work of art.

Learning handicraft skills at creative centre their path to independent living.

WHEN Juairiah Johari, 49, started a special class for children with learning disabilities at a government school in SS19 in the 80s, little did she know that it would pave the way for a training workshop at the Children Creative Centre (Kompleks 3C) in Sunway.

"We call it the GOLD programme which means 'generating opportunities for the learning disabled'. This is for special children aged 19 years who have finished school," she said.

The newly launched programme trains participants in handicrafts such as fabricating greeting cards and ceramics, and baking.

Proceeds from the product sales are given to the participants as payment and used for operatingexpenses.

The focus is to allow the participants to find an area of interest and then fine-tune their skills. As programme coordinator, Juairiah regards it as a follow-up to what the special schools have taught the youngsters.

GOLD's objective is to train children with learning disabilities in vocational skills that will enable them to live an independent life.

The programme is still in its first phase where only art and craft is taught.

The subsequent phases will involve baking and service skills.

At present, the centre is not accepting new participants as it is in dire need of volunteers to helpout with the programmes.

Freelance writer Mary Chert, 46, whose son William is a student at the centre, said the introduction of the programme was timely.

"The learning-disabled are the least employed group in this country. But if you look at the statistics, it shows that there is an autistic child in every 1,000 births and a Down Syndrome case in every 600 births. Where are these children going to go then? They cannot be cooped up at home," she said.

Like it or not, Juairiah said the learning disabled would make up a substantial part of the population. If steps are not taken to train them with the necessary living skills, they will eventually burden the welfare system.

Roshimah Abdul Ghani, 47, a volunteer manager at the GOLD workshop, said society was still ignorant of the learning-disabled's plight.

"Till today, I still have to explain to people what autism is when they ask me what's wrong with my son," said Roshimah whose 19-year-old son, Haziq, is autistic.

She added that the scenario was different in the United States where Haziq spent two years at Ramblewood Middle School in Florida when her husband was there for a job posting in the 90s.

"Within the school itself, there were occupational and speech therapists and psychologists to help work out individual educational plans for the children," she said.

"People must understand that autistic children cannot comprehend a lot of things especially where social norms and concepts are concerned.

"While it is true that these children have certain gifts, they still have to be trained so that they can be socially acceptable. I am determined that Haziq will not have a bleak future. I hope that the GOLD programme will give him as rich a life as possible," she said.

>> The learning disabled are the least employed group in this country. – by MARYＣＨＥＮ<<

Learning via curiosity: Aizat and Ten Ming checking out a PDA.