Fernando Velázquez’ peculiar creations are increasingly being known and tangible for those walking through the streets of the capital city of Havana.
On 23rd, the most centric city street, it is possible to sit down in numerous sites where his lasting and decorative wooden, iron and ceramic furnisher, of optimum make and undeniable artistic value, are located.
These creations can be found in several points of the famous corner of 23 and 12, in the popular establishment La Pelota, in the Casa del Perro Caliente on 21 and 14 and in the Buona Sera Restaurant. The renowned artist’s benches and pergolas can also be appreciated in the park on 23 and Paseo.
Heirs to a strong family tradition and with a great utilitarian sense, they are works that, in the forms, recurrent motifs and gamut of colors that decorate them, exude Cubanness.
Fernando Velázquez is a tireless creator. Son of outstanding ceramist Fernando Velázquez Vigil, he inherited from his father the passion for ceramics. A member of the Cuban Fund of Cultural Goods, he displays his work in diverse supports and formats. His work has become consolidated and has become a referent for ceramics in Cuba. For more than a decade he has been creating a work where clay continues being the protagonist, although iron and wood play important roles. He also develops a more commercial line of furniture and monumental sculptures, always bearing a recognizable seal.
Experimental and creative, Velázquez has expressed himself in dissimilar supports and formats. His dominion of varied techniques: drawing, sculpture and painting, has been the means to transmit numerous messages. Among other themes: human values, feelings, nature, universal history, lack of communication, separation and silence. Nuances, textures, contrasting gamut of colors and a great deal of imagination are expressed in his fish, plants, human figures and landscapes.
Through the study and practice of new and original solutions, the work of the designer culminates in an organic style, inspired on nature, but without losing the experience contributed by previous styles.
Recognitions in national and international events speak of the quality of his pieces. Velázquez’ lucubrations can be appreciated in numerous parts of the island. In El Bacura, El jardín de los Milagros, La campana restaurants, in the Havana Equestrian Club, the Blau Varadero and Las Praderas hotels. The National Museum of Ceramics has on display several of his works.
Smaller format pieces, like coffee tables, frames, flowerpot holders, vases and lamps, together with diverse furniture for installing, can be purchased in this edition of the International Arts and Crafts Fair (FIART) 2016 (December 4-21) in the artist’s stand.
