(Courtesy of Kaplen JCC on the Palisades) The Kaplen JCC on the Palisades Waltuch Art Gallery, located at 411 E. Clinton Avenue in Tenafly, NJ presents “Open Your Eyes,” an exhibition of bold and brilliant acrylic and gesso works by artist Jose Fontainña. The show will be on display through November 30.
José M. Fontainña was born in Riveira (Galicia), Spain in 1961 and moved to the USA with his family in 1978. He attended William Paterson University and graduated with a BA in Art. Fontainña initially sought a career in comics, but discovered he preferred creating “pointillist” works with technical pens, small brushes, and inks, and began exhibiting in galleries. He later discovered Sennelier oil pastels and acrylics. He was mentored by Andreé Teabo, an assistant to Romare Bearden, a well-known cartoonist and art editor for the Eucleian Societies at NYU, who later became famous for his collages and abstract paintings.
“I like to describe my work as being a good Caldo Gallego, a delicious Galician soup made by mixing together many vegetables and meats,” said Fontainña. “Instead of cooking ingredients, I use elements of art. Creating art is my full time job. I am obsessed with it. Each blank surface is a new beginning, an intriguing puzzle to be solved, and a wonderful means for discovering myself in a way of life that I love to live.”
The Waltuch Art Gallery is a community space that exhibits thematically Jewish artwork, or art produced by Jewish artists. All gallery exhibits and receptions are free and open to the community, where JCC membership is not required. Gallery hours are Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Friday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; closed Saturday and Jewish holidays. For more information on gallery exhibitions, contact Nina Bachrach at 201.408.1406 or [email protected].
