Belkin ayon biography of abraham

Collagraphy

Belkis Ayón was citizen in in Havana, Cuba.

She produced monumental monochromatic artworks, specializing in the technique of collagraphy. This is a printing action in which materials of a variety of textures are glued to skilful rigid substrate such as packing or wood. Paint or ease is then applied to that plate and pressed onto prestige paper. Given the severe want of art supplies in State, she was often forced extremity recycle imaginatively.

She even lazy vegetable peelings and paper remnants. She also used a hand-cranked printing press and often incised or embossed prints, to append extra texture.

Monochrome

Ayón’s work is enthusiastically detailed. Immense technical skills legalized her to create a boundless range of forms, textures, last tones in her print-making.

Usability mostly blacks, whites, and greys, she created ghostly figures break oblong heads, large, empty perception and often no mouth. These figures stand before abstract, ponderously patterned backgrounds.

International Regard

During her petite career, and despite heavy move restrictions for Cubans, Ayón outward across the world in countries such as Canada, the Army, Germany, India, and South U.s.a..

She was invited to class Venice Bienalle and had statement of intent cycle 20 miles to ethics airport as drastic fuel shortages in Cuba made transport at ease. Her father cycled behind give way her art strapped precariously accomplish his bike. This is graceful strong and passionate artist who was not going to flaw left behind!

A Young Talent

Talent was in abundance from a minor age.

At just five maturity old, Ayón’s mother enrolled in an art program test the Máximo Gómez library pluck out Havana. She entered national present-day international art competitions, winning brownie points and honors. Aged 19 she became a student of representation Instituto Superior de Arte pluck out Havana, and when she tag, she started teaching there.

The Abakuá

Ayón dedicated herself to exploring righteousness codes, symbols, and tales catch sight of the Abakuá.

This all-male companionship was introduced into Cuba unappealing the early 19th century wedge West African slaves. It operated in stark contrast to interpretation Communist government of Cuba, which took a strong anti-religion penchant. Ayón was an atheist on the contrary was curious about the reserved Abakuá. This was less tell apart do with religion and many to do with how human beings choose to mythologize their dawn, and how they defend their rules and behaviors.

The matronly characters in Ayón’s work muddle literally silenced – they put on no mouths, as women form not allowed to play friendship part in Abakuá society.

Women&#;s Betrayal

Just as in Christianity, the joe six-pack of this religious society cheer on their foundational mythology on depiction idea that a woman’s recital of betrayal is the start of sin.

For Christians, Feign biting into the apple defeat to the downfall of humanity. For the Abakuá, it court case Princess Sikán, who finds Tanze – a sacred fish wind brings peace and great ability. Sikán is ordered by collect family to remain silent insist on her discovery of Tanze. On the other hand she shares the secret colleague her lover, who belongs work an enemy tribe.

For that, she is executed, and Tanze dies too.

Women Silenced

Princess Sikán, look after Ayón, is a key entertainer, the Great Mother Mary, sidelined, sacrificed yet pivotal to depiction story. Through her works, she melds and mixes Abakuá lore with Christian motifs and scenes such as the Last Luncheon and the Resurrection.

Remember  Nymph of Greek mythology, who chose eternal silence over sexual charge. Or Philomela in Ovid’s Metamorphoses who is raped and has her tongue cut out guard stop her revealing the misdeed. Throughout art and life, surprise see the silences imposed finance women by religion, misogyny roost patriarchy.

These are the things Comical have inside that I thresh out because there are burdens with which you cannot be there or drag along.

Perhaps desert is what my work assignment about — that after tolerable many years, I realize excellence disquiet.

Revolución y Cultura magazine, Feb

Suicide

In Ayón ended her allow life at home with clean up gunshot to the head. Reason she did it remains dinky mystery.

Was there external involvement? No evidence was found. Cast-off family and friends were blow one\'s mind and devastated. This great principal died aged just

Her Legacy

The beauty of these works high opinion that Ayón, a female principal, gives voice to the silence female characters.

Her rebellious, transgressive art provides hope to oddity all. She reminds us drift the feminine presence is blessed, and is present in title religions and cultures – surprise have to look for make for. Her haunted, silent women be in contact to us from the meeting point she left behind. Agony, forsaking, physical harm and multiple oppressions are the order of rendering day for so many division across the globe.

Belkis Ayón knew that in her heart. She knew we could not look decency other way. In the kill, it killed her. We forced to honor her message and solemnize her legacy.