Solo exhibition by Cuban artist Jorge Rodríguez Diez (R10) "The Banana Issue"

CINCINNATI, OH –Bridges Not Walls and Marta Hewett Gallery collaborate for a new exhibition Cuban artist Jorge Rodríguez Diez (R10). For his first solo exhibition in the United States the artist will present his iconic paintings along with limited edition prints produced locally by DIY Printing.

Founded by Kay Hurley and Jens Rosenkrantz Jr., Bridges not Walls is a non-for-profit cultivating an exchange of artists between Havana Cuba and Cincinnati Ohio. After having met several Cuban artists during their first trip to Havana in 2015, Hurley and Rosenkrantz returned home and began to develop a plan to organize a cultural dialogue between artists in Cincinnati and Cuba. Artist Jorge Rodríguez Diez (R 10) was among these exceptional artists. Diez will return to Cincinnati to present several of his paintings depicting 50’s era graphic designs with bold colors and nostalgic images that carry a surreptitious message.

The Banana Issue: an exhibition of works by Jorge Rodríguez Diez (R10), will be on view at Marta Hewett Gallery from March 23^rd, through May 12^th, 2018. On Saturday March 24th at 3 pm the gallery will host an artist talk with Jorge Rodríguez Diez (R10). This informal discussion will be followed by an opening reception for the artist from 4 – 6 pm. This event is free and open to the public.

In addition to the paintings, the gallery will have on view five limited-edition silkscreen prints by Jorge Rodríguez Diez (R10) produced by DIY Printing. The prints are available at the gallery, or online at: martahewett.com/shop. A Cincinnati based print shop, the goal at DIY Printing is to enrich the lives of artists by providing an open printing studio that supports and encourages the work of artists.  DIY provides awareness, outreach and education for the community.

Jorge Rodríguez Diez (R 10) b.1969 is a designer, visual artist and native of Havana Cuba. He has had solo exhibitions at the Icheri Secher Modern Art Center, Baku, Azerbaijan, and a number of institutions throughout Havana. In addition, he has participated in group exhibitions in Havana, Argentina, Portugal and the United States. The Banana Issue is the artists first solo exhibition in the United States. Jorge Rodríguez Diez studied in Havana at the Technical Institute of Industrial Design and the Superior institute of Design.

About the Exhibition:

The Banana Issue: Paintings and Prints by Jorge Rodríguez Diez (R 10)

On View: March 23^rd – May 12^th, 2018

Opening Reception: Saturday, March 23^rd, 4-6 pm

Artist talk with Jorge Rodríguez Diez: Saturday, March 23^rd,3pm