Lot Essay
José Bedia's work represents a project of cultural investigation and artistic invention that is concerned with the convergence of different cultures, their languages, beliefs and values. Here, Bedia reaches a new level of exchange and addresses the issues of cultural identity that directly concerns Cubans, Africans, North and South Americans. His work retells history as seen from his own perspective. A perspective, one might observe, that is an ample one since he brings into the struggle of representation his own experiences as an initiated member of the Palo Monte religion and his teachings in Native American and African spiritual beliefs.
María Batalla (1997), like most of Bedia's work, is rendered in his characteristic graphic style. Overall, it appears to be a skull. However, when looked at closely, a stylized silhouette of a human body with an animal head, holding a bucket in each hand, is walking on an imaginary road leading to a heavily industrialized city. Likewise, the sun appears to be rising at the end of the road and a bucket that literally hangs from the canvas receives its beam. Two animal figures appear on the lower half of the composition and in the center, two black circles, one with the head of a man and the other with a head of a cock, are also present. Finally the text, which is a staple element in Bedia's work, is also here.
In María Batalla (1997), Bedia appears to be recreating a story that symbolizes the conflict between man and nature. As in most of his paintings Bedia speaks of hope, and here María appears to be on a spiritual journey that is leading her towards the sun.
María Batalla (1997), like most of Bedia's work, is rendered in his characteristic graphic style. Overall, it appears to be a skull. However, when looked at closely, a stylized silhouette of a human body with an animal head, holding a bucket in each hand, is walking on an imaginary road leading to a heavily industrialized city. Likewise, the sun appears to be rising at the end of the road and a bucket that literally hangs from the canvas receives its beam. Two animal figures appear on the lower half of the composition and in the center, two black circles, one with the head of a man and the other with a head of a cock, are also present. Finally the text, which is a staple element in Bedia's work, is also here.
In María Batalla (1997), Bedia appears to be recreating a story that symbolizes the conflict between man and nature. As in most of his paintings Bedia speaks of hope, and here María appears to be on a spiritual journey that is leading her towards the sun.