Friday, October 22, 2021
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
West Palm Beach artist discusses the importance of equality on WPBF News
While Cubans and other Hispanics continue to struggle for equality, a West Palm Beach artist is at the root of that crusade. His art may make you think twice – whether it’s in a subliminal message or one of his more controversial exhibits.
Inside The Box Gallery in West Palm Beach, curator Rolando Chang Barrero, also known as “The Bird Man,” creates his next piece.He’s not only an artist but an activist.
“It’s a powerful means of communication,” Barrero said. “Whether it deals with Cuba, homosexuality, because I am gay, the artwork also stems from that larger-than-life image. So, it hits you.”
Rolando uses current headlines and historical events as his influence. He exposes problems and gives them a silent voice of expression.
“We’ve taken the time to deal with social issues, which includes race and ethnicity,” Rolando said.
Whether it’s the 2018 Parkland school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School or showcasing other artists, like Dominic Esposito’s “The Opioid Spoon Project,” Rolando said he knows what it’s like to struggle growing up in Miami.
His parents are from Cuba and sought political asylum in the United States.
“It was the '60s, and there was no Hispanics,” Rolando said. “And racism was at its peak. Life changed in kindergarten. We had to go out and mix with other kids. We were the ones that stood out. It wasn’t once or twice that we would come home beat up. That was a sign of the times in this country.”
He said inequality is still rampant, but he uses it to promote positive change in the community.
Rolando said it’s important to value yourself, adding that fighting for that value is the only way Hispanics will be on an equal playing field.
Rolando said he has always drawn outside the lines – using art to make people think outside the box, which he said he wants to instill in young artists.
“As soon as they put a drawing pencil to paper or a brush to a canvas, that’s a powerful medium. And if you’re going to paint flowers, make sure it’s the most beautiful flower in the world and that it resonates with the broadest amount of people," he said.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
The Box Gallery Exhibition Blank Slate: Domenic Esposito on cover of Mondo Italiano!
The Box Gallery
Blank Slate Fine Art Exhibition
Rolando Chang Barrero
Other images and interviews are available upon request.
West Palm Beach, FL 01-22-2021--Domenic Esposito will be showing his new series of artwork entitled Blank Slate, along with select pieces of his signature work addressing the Opioid Crisis, at the socially conscious Box Gallery in West Palm Beach's “Cultural Corridor.”
Esposito's new series titled "Blank Slate" represents the artist's reflections upon current times and the era of fear, depression, and loneliness experienced in the "new normal." Esposito explores the isolation of those living with mental illness and those suffering from substance abuse whose challenges have been exacerbated and laid bare.
All the figures depicted in Blank Slate are hooded; their faces are either totally or partially hidden from view. Many pieces contrast bronze patinas with painted backgrounds illuminating the hooded figures' hidden, inner world, alluding to the wearer's identity. Through the combination of two and three-dimensional media, the artworks push the hooded subject into our visceral space creating conflict between the figure's desire to be hidden and the viewer's own incompatible impulses to ignore, expose and understand.
The Blank Slate Exhibition will open with a reception on on March 6th and continue through March 29, 2021. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11-6 p.m. or by appointment.
Sunday, February 7, 2021
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Saturday, January 23, 2021
“In Time of Protest Art Exhibit” on Display at Miramar Cultural Center Curated by Rolando Chang Barrero
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Self Portrait with Found Object(ive) by Rolando Chang Barrerro |
Broward Arts
Sunday, October 4, 2020
Monday, October 7, 2019
Las Olas Lifestyles Magazine: Art That Advocates
By Sally O'Dowd Las Olas Lifestyles Magazine 2019 Publisher Lifestyle Media Group https://go.epublish4me.com/ebook/10101344/1019_Las_Olas.pdf
Read Magazine Here:
https://go.epublish4me.com/ebook/10101344/1019_Las_Olas.pdf
A Must See Exhibition! Immigration show educates and presents 1st hand experiences!
CONstitutionX: Our Human Rights
Immigration show educates and presents1st hand experiences!
The Box Gallery
811 Belvedere Road
www.TheBoxGallery.Info
Groups and Institutions are welcomed!
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Photo: Kim Fontaine |
"The opening of the CONstitutionX: Our Human Rights held last week was spectacular to say the least. It was a grand success on so many levels! It was really engaging and created the much anticipated empathic response. The interactions between audience and artists were a sight to see and experience, as was the artwork itself!" -Rolando Chang Barrero
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Artist: Maria Lino |
The exhibition which opened last Saturday on September 28, 2019 was purposely held on the anniversary date that The U.S. Congress voted to send the new Constitution of the United States to the state legislatures for their approval and will close on November 8, 2019; the anniversary of the election of President Abraham Lincoln who authored of The Emancipation Proclamation.
The curators, Rolando Chang Barrero and Sonia Baez-Hernandez selected together 23 International Artists and 2 organizations unite for Social Justice and awareness. The exhibition includes a series of visual art presentations, theatrical performances, performance art, films, workshops, artists talks and video curated by both artist/curators who have long established their presence in the the art world as leaders of social justice art and have exhibited alongside many of the artists in the exhibition.
Among the 23 International Artists which are included are Rolando Chang Barrero (US), Lisu Vega (Venezuela), Muu Blanco (Venezuela), Donna Ruff, Diane Arrieta , Ruben Riviera Matos, Sonia Baez-Hernandez (D.R), Narciso Martinez (Mex.), Maria Lino (Cuba), Sunny Marquez (P.R.), Edouard Duval-Carrié (Haiti), Lisu Vega (Venezuela), Muu Blanco (Venezuela), Diane Khalo, Ruben Riviera Matos, Izel Vargas, Zonia Zena, and others. Please see blog for complete list of artists:
https://palmbeachfineartgallery.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-art-and-artists-of-constitution-x.html
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Wednesday, September 11, 2019
The art and artists of "CONstitution X : Our Human Rights" at The Box Gallery
The exhibition opens on the anniversary date that The U.S. Congress voted to send the new Constitution of the United States to the state legislatures for their approval and closes on the anniversary of the election of Abraham Lincoln the author of The Emancipation Proclamation.
Guatemalan Maya Center
In the 1980s, at the height of the Guatemalan genocide, many indigenous migrant workers were facing harassment from employers while struggling to find their place in a new home. The founders of the Guatemalan-Maya Center lobbied and advocated for the migrant community, gaining numerous victories throughout the past three decades, including securing special agricultural work visas for nearly 1,000,000 people.
Thanks to a grant from the Palm Beach County Health Department, The Guatemalan-Maya Center was officially incorporated in 1992. With just a staff of 5 and a van, we began driving mothers with limited access to the health services and prenatal care to their doctor visits - interpreting both language and culture.
Years later, we continue to accompany the immigrant communities of South Florida, and have expanded our programs to serve over 1,000 people each month from more than 28 different countries.
We Count!
a grassroots membership organization in Homestead, Florida, founded in 2006 and dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of the immigrant community through education, support and collective action.
Help build the power of Latin American immigrants and farm workers in Homestead with a generous tax-deductible contribution in support of WeCount! Donations can be made at www.we-count.org.
This Taco Truck Kills Fascists (2018) | Rodrigo Dorfman in attendance
Written By Elisa Turner, BT Contributor |
SEPTEMBER 2019 |
”No wonder her art is included in the exhibit “CONstitutionX: Our Human Rights,” opening September 28 at the Box Gallery, 811 Belvedere Rd., in West Palm Beach. “Box Gallery concentrates on socially conscious art,” says gallery owner and curator Rolando Chang Barrero. Ruff uses “new forms and traditional material, as well as imagery which is extremely powerful,” he adds. Her art “is one of the more perfect examples of work that should be seen today.”
Rolando Chang Barrero’s “School Supplies for a New Generation” makes another stark, strong statement as he lays a series of white printed tags and bags that may look like school supplies but are actually body bags. “School Supplies For the Next Generation” is meant to disturb the audience. “It should anger you and maybe shame you into action,” says Barrero. “These are not times that I am concerned about you, nor your response to my work! What you see is my response to the inaction of our country and the possibility of normalizing events that should not have occurred, but did, and may very well happen again.” - Florida Daily Post