Artist Alejandro Perez Dominguez draws from life experience to create dramatic portraits and figurative paintings. Visit his website to find more of his work.
“Tiznao” acrylic on canvas, 40″ x 60″
I’m a visual artist currently based in New York City, born in Havana, Cuba, in 1984. I’ve always been interested in my surroundings and the many different ways we perceive the reality around us.
“301” acrylic, charcoal and collage on canvas, 40″ x 50″
Painting has always been my favorite form of visual expression, though I have also worked extensively with other media, including animation and film.
“El peso de la Dignidad” oil on canvas, 24″ x 30″
For the last 12 years, I’ve been painting more with acrylic paint than oil, taking advantage of its fast drying characteristics while always trying to get the most spontaneous representation possible.
“≠7″ acrylic, charcoal and collage on canvas, 30″ x 60”
I often experiment with collage by using legal documents, invoices or receipts, and other elements as texture for the painting. These materials represent a person or fait accompli in a more raw and true form than any story or single point of view on the person or topic.
“Juventud Rebelde” acrylic and ink on canvas, 40″ x 56″
I left Cuba with my family when I was just about to start high school. Years later, I became an immigrant for the second time when I came to the United States as an adult.
“la ciudad de los portales” acrylic, charcoal on canvas, 45″ x 60″
Having experienced the trauma of relocation has helped me to reconnect with my original self; I had to adjust to different realities in which the only constant element was myself.
“6000” días después oil, acrylic and charcoal on canvas, 45″ x 45″
At the same time, these experiences gave me a different perspective on the concept of truth and its relationship with the world we live in.
“The tough one” digital painting, 4000px x 5000px
This has led me to base the context of my work around two phrases that are the result of a personal investigation and introspection about what is the truth and what we want to do with it:
1. I would rather have things be the way I think they should be rather than the way they are.
2. I would rather have things be the way they are than the way I think they should be.
“1995” acrylic, charcoal and collage on canvas, 60″ x 40″
These statements, even though they are opposed, can work together, leading us to different interpretation of our experiences.
“Albarán” acrylic, charcoal and collage on canvas, 60″ x 80″
The first being more selfish than the second, or the second being passive while the first incites action and change. The first being more about me and the second being more about everything else.
Artist Alejandro Perez Dominguez invites you to follow him on Instagram and Bēhance.