A collection of 23 contemporary paintings by leading Cuban artists will be on display at Melbourne’s Windsor Hotel, the first time such a significant exhibition  of Cuban art has been held in the city.

The exhibition, part of a unique Cuban Arts Festival that is being sponsored by the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba, will be held at the hotel’s Wallis & Ed function rooms from November 4 to 9. The art can be viewed from 5pm daily.

Cuban Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Pedro Monzon, said: “The exhibition is a first for Melbourne.  Cuba’s visual arts is an immensely rich heritage that is widely known and immediately recognised throughout the world.  Many Cuban artists have attained international reputations, have been the subject of major international exhibitions and have had their names inscribed into the history of world art.  Yet, none of the major Cuban visual artists has exhibited in Melbourne, at least until now.”

“This exhibition is very significant and highlights the work of a new generation of Cuban artists, many of whom are celebrated internationally. It showcases the vibrancy, diversity, strong national identity and immense richness of expression that is Cuban art and speaks of a very real and living visual arts culture.”

Works by artists including Nelson Dominguez, Ileana Mulet Batista, Jesús Nodarse Valdés, Juan Carlos Muñoz Alfonso, Yuri Santana  García, Ernesto Garcia Peña, Sandor Gonzalez, Gilberto Frómeta Fernández and Angel Ramirez will be on display. Twenty-two of the 23 works will be for sale.

The Festival will also feature Cuban music and dancing,  Cuban food and a selection of premium Cuban rums.

The hotel’s CEO David Perry said the week-long festival would be a vibrant celebration that would showcase Cuban culture in a way not previously seen in Melbourne.

“We’re very fortunate to have the full support of the Embassy here and their guidance in putting the Festival together,” he said. “It has ensured an authenticity that would simply not be possible to achieve otherwise, and has opened doors to access the very best of Cuba, in particular the very stunning artworks that will be on display.”

For further information on the artworks  visithttp://www.thehotelwindsor.com.au/news-en.html

 Built in 1883, the 180-room Windsor hotel pre-dates the Savoy in London, which was built in 1889, the Waldorf Astoria in New York which dates back to 1893, and the Ritz Paris which opened in 1898. 

Issued by: Tango Public Relations 03 9654 8098

 For further information please contact: David Perry, CEO The Windsor, 03 9633 6100 0437 650 755 dperry@thw.com.au or visit www.thehotelwindsor.com.au