Harak Rubio Exhibition Opens May 20 at Foosaner Education Center’s Frits van Eeden Gallery
MELBOURNE, FLA. — An exhibition of large-scale abstract acrylic and oil paintings inspired by artist Harak Rubio’s memories of his native Puerto Rico, his international travels and his home state of Florida opens May 20 at the Frits Van Eeden Gallery in the Renee Foosaner Education Center at 1520 Highland Ave. in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne.
The exhibit runs through Aug. 9. An opening reception will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, June 6, in the gallery. The free public event is held in conjunction with the arts district’s First Friday Art Walk.
Puerto Rico and Florida join Mexico and Germany as inspirations for Rubio, who now lives in Melbourne. “These four magic places are my canvas, my colors, my passion, my friendship, my heart and my love,” he said. “They are my oceans, my memories and symbols in my life.”
Rubio will further discuss his art at the free Museum Monday event starting at 10 a.m. May 19 at Foosaner Art Museum’s Harris Community Auditorium, 1463 Highland Ave.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Rubio was exposed to art and freedom of expression thanks to his father, the artist Pablo Rubio. The young Rubio experimented with drawing, clay, silkscreen, jewelry, painting and later, metal sculptures. In 1992, he completed his technical education and then worked in film, advertising and video production as designer, art director and prop master.
He has worked for Universal Pictures, Miramax Films, Animal Planet and Quentin Tarantino Productions, among others. He has achieved seven solo art exhibits, participated in over 35 group exhibits internationally and placed public sculpture in Puerto Rico and Mexico. Rubio’s large abstract sculpture, “Vision of the Guardian Harbor,” was donated to the City of Melbourne for a new public art program in February 2013 and is located downtown.
“My work creates a bridge between the imagination and unfinished lines, stirring the eye into completing the piece through motion, flow,” Rubio said. “There’s a release within this experience and hopefully the viewer can capture the changing movement within the piece, freely experiencing beyond steel, texture, curvature or linear repetition to release yourself like a wave, cresting and crashing into an end, and to a new beginning.”
The Renee Foosaner Education Center is at 1520 Highland Ave. in the Eau Gallie Arts District of Melbourne. The gallery is open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the first Friday of every month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. For more information, email Sara Russo at russos@fit.edu or call (321) 674-8923.
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