La Galería del Barrio, located in Southside Cultural Center on Broad Street opened earlier this spring, and we are pleased to announce that the Galleria will be part of our June 20 Gallery Night.
We asked Rene Gomez, one of the artists with pieces in the opening exhibit, "A Soulful Sazón," a bit about the new gallery, his art, and baseball. To read more about Rene and see a gallery of his work, visit RI Latino Artists • Rene Gómez (rilatinoarts.org).
Q: You work both as a mural artist and as a painter on a smaller scale. What are the main differences in the process and do you prefer one more than the other?
I enjoy both murals and paintings and always see in my eyes my canvas paintings as potential murals being painted on walls. But my canvas paintings usually have a more meaningful connection with me since they have a connection with my life experiences. The primary challenge when creating a mural lies in scaling the artwork accurately. Various techniques, including freehand rendering and projector assistance, are available for this purpose plus many more methods. Personally, I employ a European-style method that suits my workflow in creating murals. I utilize the gridding method on my paintings when creating from sketch to canvas.
Q: Congratulations on being part of the opening exhibit at La Galería del Barrio. What are your thoughts about La Galleria del Barrio being one of the first - if not the first - gallery on Broad Street in Providence?
The establishment of a gallery dedicated to showcasing the remarkable artwork within the Hispanic community, particularly in the region where I have resided for the entirety of my life South Providence is meaningful. This space "La Galería del Barrio" is providing a platform to illuminate the richness of beauty and creativity of many artists in the local area and Rhode Island.
Q: You have a couple of portraits of baseball players in the opening exhibit. Are you a baseball fan? What is your team?
A: I have been crafting paintings inspired by my personal experiences and journey, particularly focusing on my upbringing, which involved actively watching baseball games and participating in Little League and Senior League baseball, as well as avidly collecting baseball cards during my teen years. Currently, I am engaged in developing a series depicting iconic figures from the New York Yankees, rendered in a pop art style within the format reminiscent of baseball cards. Following this project, I intend to pivot towards capturing the essence of Boston Red Sox legends. I'm still a Boston Red Sox fan; the 2004 team is my favorite because my dad got to see them win the championship before he passed away in 2007.
