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The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:37 pm
by Joseph
I started this thread on the inspiration of another... didn’t want to hijack the subject.
http://www.mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4077

Welcome to the “Rumba Art Gallery”

Although titled “Rumba Art Gallery”, it is not limited to works inspired only by rumba; it will feature works of art inspired by any percussive / rhythmic music tradition.

In order to be respectful of the artist /creator of the works displayed, it would be helpful to
1) Identify the artist and/or
2) If you are posting an image file, perhaps a link to where that image was captured…where perhaps the original artwork could be purchased.

Feel free to add to the art gallery.

So here is my first and all time favorite image depicting the essence of rumba.
I saw this image in a book I am reading “Nationalizing Blackness – Afrocubanismo and Artistic Revolution in Havana 1920-1940”.
The oil painting, titled “La Mulata” from the 1920’s is by Jaime Valls.
http://www.ryc.cult.cu/105ramon.htm in Spanish, describes his life and work.

What do I like about this painting?

The bold primary colors, the syncopated balance of the standing woman and the seated dancers, the sense of movement in the fluid portrayal of the Mulata’s lithe body, the prominent vacauno, the look of absolute total ecstatic enjoyment on her face, contrasted with the soul-fulness of the clave players, and the intensity of the guitarist.

If a picture is worth a thousand words…and if words do not suffice to describe the essence of music….somehow this portrayal has succeeded (in my opinion) in portraying what words cannot describe…the essence of Rumba!

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:39 pm
by Joseph
A litograph from the 1940’s titled “Rumba” viewable at
http://www.keithsheridan.com/covarrubias.html

A lighthearted caricature of the style, including the stereotyped “El Morro” in the background.
Notice the marimbula player…they may be playing Changui!

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:41 pm
by Joseph
"Guaguanco"
This from http://www.wrenpanzella.com/gallery/Transfer-Paintings/Guaguanco
I couldn't find the artist's name.

If you go to this site, be sure to look at all the other images available, this is one of many great ones.

The kinetic dynamism and pulsating vibrancy of this painting are what appeal to me. You can almost feel the heat from the lights and the gyrating bodies. The timbale player’s eyes bore into the trumpeter, who screams out a mambo. There is so much going on in this mondernist/semi-cubist portrayal!

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:43 pm
by bongosnotbombs
I have a few,first is Orquestra Abakua by Viredo Espinosa.
This painting is on the cover of a book I just read
"From Afro-Cuban Rhythms to Latin Jazz by Raul A. Fernandez.

This painting reminds me of Japanese woodblock paintings with it's lack
of perspective.
The depictions of the musicians borders on being racist, however the artists respect
of the subject matter is apparent and counters this due to the accuracy in depicting
the ensemble and from his detail in the musicians expressions.

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:22 am
by bongosnotbombs
And this album cover for Saoco "Macho Mumba".
This album cover was painted by Henry Fiol, who is also the
singer in the band.

A very realistic painting of a rumba scene. I stumbled across the painting
in the blog. Where the blogger is a friend of Henry and talks about him in the post.

http://fidelseyeglasses.blogspot.com/se ... henry+fiol

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:44 am
by Joseph
Good ones BNB!
The first one kinda reminds me of Haitian paintings.
do you know if it's from eastern Cuba?

The second is full on gritty...the real thing
The central conguero's hands are beautifully depicted.
I can smell the cigar smoke, rum and sweat!

Remember this one?
Another "Guaguanco"
from http://benitezart.com/suenosforsale.html
Sensual and misterious

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:10 am
by onile
That was one thing about the "Vinyl" era, they had some great art on the covers!

Here's another one of Enrique Fiol!

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:27 am
by bongosnotbombs
onile wrote:That was one thing about the "Vinyl" era, they had some great art on the covers!

Here's another one of Enrique Fiol!

Yeah man, that guy Fiol has some serious talent.

This is the info on the other artist I posted
http://viredo.com/galeria.html

and the full version of the painting.

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:29 am
by bongosnotbombs
:?:

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:06 am
by Joseph
Here is a photo on an album cover.
I think the composition qualifies as art.
I'm a sucker for black and white photos.

The blurred / out of focus background, giving a sense of movement to the dancers and musicians.
The contrasting horizontal black and white background to the scene.
The poignant longing look of the woman...one is drawn right into her eyes.
The ardent grasp of the man.

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:43 am
by FidelsEyeglasses
onile wrote:That was one thing about the "Vinyl" era, they had some great art on the covers!

Here's another one of Enrique Fiol!


Not all the LP covers were done by Henry Fiol. When he left the band... "they" found someone who "tried" to imitate/replicate Henrys "style" of painting, but they always looked terrible, a poor imitation of Henry's work.

Henry Fiol always "signs" his work.... if you look closely at the LP cover of Saoco's "Papa Montero". I do not see Henry's signiture in the lower right corner of the painting. Which means he didn't paint it.
He fought with "them" for several years about this.
After he left the band.... the covers then began saying: "William Milan y Saoco"

http://fidelseyeglasses.blogspot.com/2008/07/saoco-macho-mumba-lp.html

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:16 am
by onile
I've gotta admit, I don't see a signature on the "Papa Montero" cover, thanks for the info Abure FidelsEyeglasses!
Having said that, I still dug the album covers....especially the ones done for la "Sonora Poncena" of Puerto Rico! Dayem! They were pretty creative and out there for the time they were done in. I would post one if I had it, but I think it would be a bit off topic based on the ethnic theme going on here! Their art was in a different vein!

Thanks for the info once again brothelito!

Suave!

Onile!

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:31 pm
by Joseph
Upon further look...that second Saoco definitely less refined technique than the first original Fiol.

That maraca player's got some seriously bra-worthy man boobs :shock:

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:20 pm
by windhorse
by Evelio Garcia Mata,
Comes from this gallery:
http://www.moas.org/CubanArtImageGallery.html
Cool thread! Thanks!
Dave

Re: The Rumba Art Gallery!

PostPosted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:41 pm
by Joseph
Like those Fiols
He is primarily a musician?
If so obviously a multi-talented man.
A quick Google search of "Fiol artwork" yield these next two.
However
Lightseeker said it is by Susan Matthews, whose artwork inspired this thread


Use of color doesn't seem at all similar to the others.