Artist to auction sculpture to benefit Wells’Built Museum
Joaquin Restrepo was inspired by visit to museum.
- Orlando, FL (1888PressRelease) March 22, 2018 - When Orlando-based artist Joaquin Restrepo visited the Wells’Built Museum, he was struck by the importance of Orlando’s African-American history and culture. But even more so, he was inspired.
Now, Restrepo is making sure others can have the same experience at the museum in the most fitting way possible. A sculpture Restrepo created after his visit to the museum will be auctioned off on April 5, and the proceeds will be donated to help support the institution.
Restrepo’s piece is titled “Yemoja.” The mixed-media work depicts the mother spirit of the Yoruba culture. Yemoja is the patron spirit of women, especially pregnant women. She is also the patron of the Ogun River in Nigeria, but she is associated with many bodies of water.
The piece depicts two halves of a face, which can be viewed different ways, playing with positive and negative space, as well as form and color.
The piece will be auctioned off at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at the Wells’Built Museum, 511 W. South St., Orlando.
“The proceeds to be shared from the auction of this fantastic sculpture will assist the Wells'Built to digitally preserve and share some of the archival material stored at the Museum,” said Elizabeth Thompson, the museum’s executive director.
Restrepo is a painter and a sculptor. He has participated in group and solo exhibitions in the U.S., China, Mexico and Colombia. His pieces have also been sold by Christie’s in New York.
Restrepo recently exhibited in China and was invited by the Chinese government to create a sculpture along the World’s Longest Urban Greenway. His pieces have also been displayed at the Orlando Museum of Art, the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala and at the Boca Raton Museum of Art.
“Joaquin Restrepo is one of the most wonderful contemporary artists in this moment,” said American artist Mateo Blanco, Restrepo’s friend. “Whoever buys this piece will not only be getting a beautiful work of art, but they’ll also be doing good and supporting this amazing museum.”
For more information about the Wells’Built Museum, visit www.wellsbuiltmuseum.com. For more information about Restrepo, visit joaquinrestrepo.com.
About the Wells’Built Museum
The Wells’Built Museum is dedicated to sharing memorabilia of Orlando’s African-American community, displays on the civil rights movement and African art and artifacts. The building was formerly a hotel built by Dr. William Monroe Wells to provide lodging to African-Americans during the era of segregation. The building in on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is located in the Parramore district at 511 W. South St., Orlando. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment for groups of 20 or more on Saturday. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. For more information, visit www.wellsbuiltmuseum.com.
About Joaquin Restrepo
Joaquin Restrepo is a painter and a sculptor. He studied art history, music and goldsmith, working under celebrated artists Debora Arango and Ethel Gilmour. Restrepo has participated in group and solo exhibitions in the U.S., China, Mexico and Colombia. His pieces have also been sold by Christie’s in New York. Restrepo is currently based in Orlando. For more information, visit joaquinrestrepo.com.
Media Contact:
Lauren Sedam
Wellons Communications
407-339-0879
lauren ( @ ) wellonscommunications dot com
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