Last night, it was inaugurated by Dr. Khaled Al Sulaiti, Director of the Katara Cultural Village of Doha and the Ambassador of Cuba, Eumelio Caballero Rodríguez, the “Face to Face” Exhibition, in the presence of its author, the Cuban painter Juan Arel Contino.
Statement by the Cuban Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Eumelio Caballero Rodriguez.
Excellencies, dear friends, compatriotas: First of all I would like to thank you all for your presence in this ceremony of inauguration of Cuban artist Juan Arel Ruiz Contino Exhibition.
Especial gratitude I would like to convey to H.E. Dr. Khaleb bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Director General of Katara Cultural Village Foundation, and to his hard working team for given us the opportunity to enjoy once more the beautiful paintings of Juan Arel, thus contributing to further strengthening the relations of friendship and cultural cooperation between the peoples of Cuba and Qatar.
Some of you might remember the paintings that Juan Arel exhibited here in Katara almost two years ago or his solo exhibition as part of the program for the commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of Al Shaqab Foundation, established by His Highness the Emir Father of the State of Qatar. You might also recall that Juan Arel received the first price at the International Dhow Festival organized by Katara Village last year. That is to say, that this Cuba painter is becoming familiar to the art lovers in Qatar, where a number of his works integrate various prestigious private galleries.
Today we are enjoying a modest representation of the most recent pictorial work of Juan Arel, this time focused mainly on his serie “horses”, an elegant an symbolic animal so present in our life and beloved the world over, especially in Qatar and the rest of the Gulf countries.
As you can observe, Juan Arel does not follow pre-established patterns that limit dialogue. To approach his works is to perceive the amount of possible readings in each of his pieces, is to appreciate from an open look the value of painting, surfaces and plasticity of a production where love for life and art prevails.
Thanks very much dear Juan Arel for being again with us. Your presence and these beautiful paintings might be devoted to our Cultural National Day, which was commemorated by all the Cuban people on the 20th of October.
We hope you all will enjoy this Exhibition, which will be opened until the 14th of November. Thank you!
