ABOVE: “MUJER-CARRO.” BELOW (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: “MUJER CONGRIS,” “MUJER CON SOMBRILLA,” “SU PERRO” AND “SALOME.”

Retro Vanguard
Painter Ahmed Gomez Juxtaposes the Mode with the Method

By Angie Hargot

Born in Holguin, Cuba in 1972, it was in the embattled island nation that Ahmed Gomez was exposed to art throughout childhood and it was there that he honed his aesthetic.
“I was always connected to images,” Gomez says, a fact that’s evident in an impressively long exhibition resume, and an extensive inventory of work.

He continued his studies at the High Institute of Art and National School of Art in Havana, and embarked on a long path of shows, winning awards and accolades for his work throughout the ’80s and ’90s.

Gomez formed his artistic style by melding his early experiences with iconic illustrations of the 1920s through 1950s.

The artist says his style aims to juxtapose pictorial layers “coexisting with several realities — a dialogue between the ideas of the vanguards and the pulp comics and pin-ups.”

Ultimately, Gomez creates compelling works in a throwback style, depicting themes not far gone from the North American consciousness, and triggering whole new conversations on ever-present social constructs.

ANGIE HARGOT: You’re influenced by “Social Realism.” Please elaborate on the concept.
AHMED GOMEZ: Constructive and Social Realism were a big part of my art education. My vision of art has always been marked by elements of references to graphic art.

When I arrived here, my first job was to repair and restore antique posters. I use those images and translate them to my present line of paintings.

AH: What draws you to the pin-up?

AG: The innocence of those images, how they juxtapose — and how playful they can be with Social Realism.

AH: What are you seeing from the art market in general, or what do you hope to see in the near future?

AG: There was a time of enormous speculation, as in the real estate market. What is happening now is great. The art fairs are attracting more people and replacing the museums as a venue for information. Also, people can see a wide variety of art in one place at the same time. I hope that people continue to educate themselves via the art fairs, museums, and technology.

AH: What’s next for you?

AG: My next step is to extend the project I’ve been working on here in Miami at Galeria Del Sol, and take it to Mexico. I have a strong connection to Mexico. I lived in Mexico City for three years after leaving Cuba, and my parents are still there. My next show will be at the Edgar Pozos Galeria in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

See more of Ahmed Gomez’ work at ahmedgomez.com and at Galeria Del Sol, 1628 Michigan Ave., in Miami Beach. Call 
305-674-7076 or visit gdscontemporaryart.com for more information.

comments@theleadmiamibeach.com