There’s a curious connection between a person’s name and
their personality. It can be more or less described as a match or mismatch of
the name of a person, with their profession, talent, or some other obvious connotation.
“Warrior” is the English translation of his last name, obviously of close
Spanish descent. Some who study the significance of names consider this trait
to carry a bit of a special half unit sort to speak; a power or energy that
just like the rest of us, also seeks universal outlet. In the case of Antonio
Guerrero, his identity becomes as much an intricate part of the revelation
contained in his work, as the symbolism itself. It is the kind of work to be
stared at, and guess what? That’s exactly what this warrior wants you to do. Come
on in.
His art has been hailed as having ‘Dali-esque’ undertones. Other names like Hieronymus Bosch,
and Picasso have also been tossed about with absurd disregard to style and
expression. Yeah, he’s heard it all by now but the truth is Antonio never even knew
of these names until he came to the United States, and by that time he had
already been painting for many years in Cuba. He doesn’t consider his work
anything like that of these men and rightfully so because it isn’t. It is, like
the work of true artists, a personal form of expression filled with symbolism
and themes that resonate with an inner conscience. It is perhaps in this
mission that he is an equal to the surrealist masters. The vibrant color red,
the subtlety of glimmering gold backgrounds, or the black birds that sometimes
speckle his creations are some of the personal glimpses into the subliminal
conversations with a deeper state of being. The perspectives may be mystical to
some, others may recall humor, but the result will be riveting.
Antonio grew up in Santa Clara, a province of Cuba,
according to the artist, Santa Clara is known among many other things, for black
birds that flap their wings noisily to warn of the approach of people or other
animals. Antonio confesses a
deep connection with, and reverence for nature, the kind that is developed by long periods of constant
admiration. Due to the isolation from the trends of the outside world, his
formative years where for the most part spent outdoors, in open fields, and in communion with
nature. There is a particular type of oneness that unites those who assimilate
the platform of what is called reality.
Its visualization takes many forms and Antonio Guerrero’s perspective
offers limitless variations of concepts drawn from revelations arrived after an
inexhaustible search for the human quest of self-identity. A look at some of
Antonio’s pieces, from the modern iconic image of ‘Jose Marti, El Gran Poeta’ –
Cuba’s greatest hero – to ‘I Universe’ from I
Live in a Red Planet, will prove there is no escaping the inexplicable pull
inspired by his work.
Red is the artist’s favorite color and he shows it from the
trademark assortment of kerchiefs he often wears around his neck or coat
pocket, to the background of many of his paintings, even his website http://guerreroart.blogspot.com/
boasts the emblematic relation of war and red. An often over-heard comment at
his showings is that he’s a passionate visionary. Imagine that!
All lovers of fine art should be exposed to Antonio
Guerrero’s work. There is plenty to satisfy the minds that demand the thrill in
discovering interlocking dreams, and for those that enjoy journeys of art
expression, or those who simply find beauty in color and balance. Be certain of
one thing, this artist is an ever-evolving revelation. His pictorial tales may
haunt, pacify, upset, or simply pass one by, but the flowing source of
creativity lurking in the deep recesses of the imagination of a good artist
moves on. Stay with it. Discover the world of Antonio Guerrero – the possibilities
are endless.
http://guerreroart.blogspot.com/
