WATER/EARTH/SKY by Juan Alonso-Rodríguez

July 5 – August 24, 2024

ArtX Contemporary is proud to present WATER/EARTH/SKY, a solo exhibition by acclaimed artist Juan Alonso-Rodríguez. After 40 years of creating art in Seattle, Alonso-Rodríguez pays homage to the Pacific Northwest’s landscapes and the Cuban vistas that influenced his artistic journey. His first major showcase since his relocation to Florida in 2022, this exhibition brings together two of Alonso-Rodríguez’s most beloved series, “Horizon” and “Strata,” and celebrates the next chapter of his career.  

The “Horizon” series of minimalist color-field paintings, created with acrylic on unprimed canvas, offers an expansive perspective of the environment. The horizon line featured in this series was originally inspired by the view Alonso-Rodríguez saw from the beaches of Cuba before immigrating to the U.S as a teenager. Over time, the “Horizon” series has evolved to reflect a variety of locations. These new works capture the grandeur of the Pacific Northwest’s vast landscapes that have served as the artist’s home and inspiration for the last 40 years.   

In contrast, the “Strata” series, rendered in heavily textured acrylic and modeling paste on wood panels, features organic, abstract forms. By incorporating mid-century geometric shapes influenced by his Caribbean upbringing, botanical forms, and rock formations, Alonso-Rodríguez delves into the minute details of the natural world and invites viewers to appreciate the intricate beauty of the earth’s smaller elements.  

A Cuban-born, self-taught artist, Juan Alonso-Rodríguez has been a vital figure in the Pacific Northwest art community. His work has been exhibited across the United States, Canada, and Latin America and is part of the permanent collections at the Tacoma Art Museum, Portland Art Museum, and Museum of Northwest Art, among others. Alonso-Rodríguez has also created public works for numerous prominent locations, including Century Link Field and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.