Henry Bermudez
"Con la Mirada en el Cielo "
May 2 - 31, 2008 Projects Gallery & Projects Room

In his second solo show at Projects Gallery, Henry Bermudez presents “Con La Mirada en el Cielo”. Bermudez continues his exploration of spiritually surreal imagery, combining his unique vision of pre-Colombian and Christian iconography. The complex arrangement of interlocking lines and colors are reminiscent of intricate Persian tapestries. The dense arrangement invites us to travel further into a realm of contemplation. Bermudez’s current body of work expands upon the tradition of cut-paper assemblage, in some cases expanding his surface to monumental proportions. The impressive scale confronts the viewer, while the subtle, enigmatic imagery draws one to “gaze to the heaven”.

An internationally exhibited artist, Bermudez’s work is in numerous museum and private collections throughout the world. He was the Venezuelan representative to the 1985 Venice Biennale. A solo exhibition of his work is scheduled at the National Museum of Catholic Art and History in New York City in 2009. “Con La Mirada en el Cielo” opens First Friday, May 2nd with artist receptions from 5-8 p.m. The exhibition continue through May 31st, 2008. The reception is free and open to the public.

Henry Bermudez
"Fragmented Dream"
November 3 - December 22, 2006 Projects Gallery & Projects Room

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has its “tesoros” (treasures) of historic South American art. Projects Gallery has its own with the works of a living Venezuelan artist of great reputation. Fragmented Dream, a solo exhibition by Henry Bermudez, crafts minutely detailed and subtle images of abstract cosmos. Quoting guest curator Cheryl Hron, “This body of work is a hybrid of (pre-Columbian), African, Roman, Celtic and early Christian mythologies. Snakes swallow humans, which dive into centaurs and turn into arabesques in a primordial sea of black and gold…”

A native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, Bermudez won the first of many national prizes at the age of 21. His works are included in several contemporary museum collections throughout Latin America. He was selected as his country’s representative to the world-famous Venice Biennale in 1986. After years of travel between Venezuela, Mexico, Italy, Germany and New York City, the artist has been granted an extraordinary visa by the U.S. State Department and has been living in Philadelphia for several years. In addition to an intense studio experience, Bermudez has been working with the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, where he recently completed two solo murals and is already at work on another.  Including a catalog, Fragmented Dream explores the latest visions in the evolving language of this extraordinary international artist. On view from November 3rd through December 22nd, an artist’s reception will take place on First Friday, November 3, 5 – 9 p.m.