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Opening Reception: Gabriel Sanchez, They Devoured Everything
David B. Smith Gallery is proud to present They Devoured Everything by Boulder, CO and Havana, Cuba - based artist Gabriel Sanchez. In his first solo exhibition with the gallery, Sanchez’s intimate portrait-focused paintings distill his experience as a Cuban-American artist by capturing the raw emotional reality of a generation of young Cubans steeped in struggle.
The notion of togetherness - physical proximity, romantic or familial bonds, national or political affiliations, subcultures, stand in opposition to the notion of solitude. However, each of these ideas helps define the other; the space between these concepts make each more relatable and comprehensible. Set to the tune of widespread unrest so great that those ensconced describe the social climate “cannibalistic,” the bonds created with one another stand not only as a support but a defense against ruin.
There is palpable affection in the rendering of Sanchez’s subjects, one that carefully exposes the vulnerability and strength of people whose very survival is threatened by political and social upheaval in Cuba. Painted between the lines of shadow or curvature of the body is a meditation on the inter- and intra-personal. The question of who each of us are in relation to our friends, family, lovers, and to ourselves comes to the surface, heightened by survival instinct.
Hanging between starkly different worlds, Sanchez endeavors to build empathy between his audience and his subjects, many of whom have fled or are presently trying to flee Cuba. Despite the desperation of many in his community, in his own worlds, “My paintings tell stories of love, desire, frustration, friendship, doubt, and hope.” In They Devoured Everything, Gabriel Sanchez generously unpacks private moments shared with his subjects, revealing their tenderness and resilience.
About Gabriel Sanchez
Gabriel Sanchez (b. 1993, Miami, FL) received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Colorado. He is currently based between Havana, Cuba, and Boulder, Colorado, where he continues to create works that challenge and inspire audiences. Gabriel's art is a testament to the beauty and complexity of the human experience, exploring themes of identity, culture, and emotion in ways that are both timeless and contemporary. Gabriel's work has been exhibited in Miami, Italy, and New York City, including solo exhibitions in 2021 and 2022 at Luis de Jesus Los Angeles, CA, and Untitled Art Fair, Miami, and recent group exhibitions with Jeffrey Deitch, Miami, FL (2021); Luis De Jesus Los Angeles, CA (2020); and Lora Schlesinger Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2019). His work is in the collection of the Xioa Museum of Contemporary Art, Rizhao, China; Pizzuti Collection, Columbus, OH; The Bunker/Beth Rudin DeWoody Collection, Palm Beach, FL; and Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA; among others. Sanchez is represented by Luis de Jesus Los Angeles.
About David B. Smith Gallery
David B. Smith Gallery is committed to presenting intelligent and culturally relevant exhibitions in its Denver location, featuring the region’s most important emerging talent alongside internationally recognized artists. Through its curatorial program, participation in art fairs, and extensive media coverage in publications such as Art in America and ARTnews, David B. Smith Gallery has cultivated a strong regional, national, and international collector audience. The New York Times hailed the gallery as offering "an exciting contrast of cutting-edge works” and The Denver Post declared that it is the “premiere commercial space” in Denver. The gallery also maintains an active publishing division, which produces exhibition catalogs and editions.
David B. Smith Gallery is a member of the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA)
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/1577875-0
