Blend of realism and fantasy from Sautúa

It was clear from early on that Alberto Sautúa Fernández was destined for an artistic career.

Born in Cuba, he attended the San Alejandro National Academy of Visual Arts, Havana, graduating in 1995, and completed a course in xylography at the faculty of Visual Arts at the Higher Studies Art Institute, Havana, in 1997.

Since then, Sautúa has participated in numerous group and solo exhibitions in Cuba and internationally, exhibiting in places such as Washington and New York in the USA, Mexico, Belgium, Germany, Canada, Argentina, Switzerland and Sweden. Within the Cuban art community, Sautúa participates in many projects.

He has lent his images to an anti-smoking campaign, to a Cuban-American co-operative art project, and, especially dear to him, a project to place Cuban culture in the reach of the average man. Through this latter project, anyone can afford a vase or shower-curtain with prints of Sautúa’s distinctive artwork.

This work, a mesmerising blend of realism and fantasy, is like a fairy-tale for grown-ups.

And there are always wings, of insects or birds, to lift both his delicate figures and the viewer into the freedom of pure imagination.

The Horizon Art Gallery is hosting Sautúa for the fourth time at 37, Mucurapo Road, St James. The opening on will also feature Spanish guitar by local artiste Stefan Roach on September 26 from 7 to 8.30pm, and continues until October 7. Opening hours are 9am to 5.30pm Mondays to Fridays, and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.