Wikipedia

Draft:Leonel Matheu


Leonel Matheu (born 1967) is a Cuban-American artist recognized for his work in various media, including painting, sculpture, video art, and public art installations. His art is noted for its use of figurative graphic language.

Leonel Matheu
Matheu standing in front of one of his works
Born1967
Havana, Cuba
NationalityCuban-American
EducationInstitue of Design in Havana

Early Life and Education

edit

Matheu was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1967. He graduated from the Institute of Design in Havana in 1987. In 1992, he moved to Miami, Florida, where he has continued his artistic practice.[1] Matheu is the stepson of Cuban-American jazz musician, Arturo Sandoval, and was portrayed by actor Freddy Rodriguez in the film For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story.

Artistic Style and Techniques

edit

Matheu’s artwork utilizes a figurative graphic language to convey diverse narratives. He works across a range of media, including:

  • Paintings
  • Drawings
  • Sculptures
  • Video art and animations
  • Murals and architectural public art installations

Notable Contributions

edit

In addition to his visual art, Matheu contributed to the music industry by creating the album cover artwork for Danzón (Dance On) by Arturo Sandoval, a Grammy-Award winning jazz musician.[2] Matheu is also mentioned in the book Cubans: An Epic Journey by Sam Verdeja and Guillermo Martinez.[3] The book highlights the stories of notable Cuban figures, underscoring Matheu's impact and presence in the Cuban-American community.

Exhibitions

edit

Matheu has been featured in over 30 solo exhibitions and 70 group exhibitions in the United States and internationally.

Selected Solo Exhibitions

edit
  • "Made in Miami" (2022) at DCS Contemporary Gallery, Germany
  • "Pedestriart" (2018-2019) at City of Doral in Downtown Park, Florida
  • "Graffiti" (2016) at Farside Gallery, Miami, Florida
  • "Crossroads of the Dystopia" (2014) at The Patricia and Philip Frost Art Museum, Miami, Florida [4]
  • "Made in Miami" (2013) at Bruce Lurie

Selected Group Exhibitions

edit
  • "Art on a Plate" (2021) at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers, Florida
  • "Character" (2019) at Sansiao Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
  • "Colectivo Periferia" (2019) at Art District of Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Collections

edit

Matheu’s work is included in various private and public collections:

Public Artworks

edit

Matheu has created several public artworks, including:

 
A picture of the Canopy Crown from Zoo Miami
  • "The Canopy Crown" (2015) at Zoo Miami Amphitheater, Miami, Florida[9]
  • "Vitality" (2010, 2012, 2016, 2018) at Miami Jackson South Community Hospital - Lobby flooring at Miami Lyric Theater (2013)[10]
  • "Vessel" (2015) in Cartagena Plaza, Coral Gables, Florida, and Hialeah, Florida (2006)


 
"Black Vessel" from Leonel Matheu

Awards and Recognition

edit

Matheu has received various national and international awards, including:

  • 2017 WIZO Florida Award for "My Life Through My Mother’s Eyes" book
  • SEETAL 2007 5th Edition Photography–Mixed Media Painting Kunst Forum International, Switzerland
  • 2007 Award of Merit in the City of Hialeah
  • 2001 Honorable Mention Florida Individual Artist Fellowship
  • 2000 Chivas Regal Order of Distinction in Fine Art
  • 2000 Medal of Culture of Rotterdam, the Netherlands

References

edit
  1. ^ "Leonel Matheu Weaves a Spell on Viewers at the Frost Art Museum".
  2. ^ "Arturo Sandoval - Danzón (Dance On)". Discogs. 1994.
  3. ^ Pg. 362
  4. ^ "Miami-based artist Leonel Matheu's Exhibition at the Frost Art Museum".
  5. ^ "Digital Collections | Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum | Florida International University".
  6. ^ "Leonel Matheu".
  7. ^ "Leonel Matheu's exhibit examines Cuba's dystopian state". 23 July 2014.
  8. ^ "Young at Art Museum will fuse multi-disciplines at new facility".
  9. ^ "The Canopy Crown in Miami, FL".
  10. ^ "Vitality in Miami, FL".
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft:Leonel_Matheu&oldid=1261258687"