Jorge Cruz Artist Catalog | Agora Gallery

JORGE C R U Z

530 West 25th Street, New York, NY

Jorge Cruz is a Cuban oil painter and architect based in Miramar, Florida.

Influenced by El Greco and Lucien Freud, he reveals the bare flesh of humanity through portraits of poignant intensity. Earthy and somber tones, dramatized by his use of chiaroscuro heighten the subject’s emotional charge. Religious paintings from the Renaissance often provide inputs for his compositions, which see Cruz’ family members or acquaintances as protagonists. As such, Cruz elevates and glorifies ordinary life, while revealing people’s struggles, particularly those associated with this native Cuba. For example, El hambre (hunger) portrays an emaciated Cuban man, his ribs and clavicles clearly visible, uncomfortably protruding from his naked torso. In La espera (the wait) an old melancholy gentleman, his face half obscured, sits with his hands on his lap with an air of quiet resignation. Cruz’ intent is to unveil the sorrows and fears that define the human experience, those carried with quiet solitude and dignity, and push them into the light, for everyone to see.

Old Man, 2020 Oil on canvas 40” x 30” $2950 B U Y O N A RT- M I N E . C O M

Prayer, 2020 Oil on canvas 24” x 20” $1750 B U Y O N A RT- M I N E . C O M

Seating Madonna, 2023 Oil & graphite on canvas 48” x 37” $3600 B U Y O N A RT- M I N E . C O M

Tyrant, 2020 Oil on canvas 40” x 30” $2950 B U Y O N A RT- M I N E . C O M

Art is infinite. I believe that following trends is unnecessary. Avoiding the corruption of the modern mentality gives me the ability to navigate freely in the waters of self-expression and satisfy my hunger for creation.

From the beginning, I have striven to find a way to convey the emotions, the sorrows, and the fears of human beings. I paint figures, mixing colors to create a vast range of human skin tones, and collecting the lights and shadows– these are the most exciting aspects of my work. In the end, when all of these sentiments are on the surface of my canvas, my happiness is eternal.

Ars longa, vita brevis. We are currently living in a world wrapped in more shadow than light, and the only humble legacy I can leave is art. If God gave me the opportunity to leave my artistic mark in history, then I would consider my purpose in life fulfilled.

ORIGINAL JORGE CRUZ ARTWORKS ON

For inquiries, sales@agora-gallery.com

530 West 25th Street, Ne w York , NY 2 1 2 - 2 2 6 - 4 1 5 1 Fa x : 2 1 2 - 9 6 6 - 4 3 8 0 W W W. A G O R A - G A L L E R Y . C O M W W W . A R T M I N E . C O M

© 2023 - Agora Gallery - All Rights Reserved The copyrights of artwork contained in this booklet are retained by the artists.

Reproduction of any published material (images or text) is prohibited without the written permission of Agora Gallery.