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THE EXAMINER  
ART AND CULTURE  | NOVEMBER 1, 2012  |  BY: MARY A. OSBORNE 


Painter Rick Garcia exhibits ‘Colors of Om’ at River North Gallery

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Rick Garcia, INFINITE SHIVA
The rich and exotic flavor of Cuba, with its glittering nightclubs, conga beat, cigar scent, rum haze and tropical sunlight, inspired artist Rick Garcia to create a nostalgic series of paintings celebrating his heritage. These works, in combination with a series on meditation, comprise “Colors of Om.” The exhibition will be on display at Hilton | Asmus Contemporary Friday, Nov. 2 through Friday, Nov. 23, 2012.

Garcia, who is a Miami native born to Cuban parents, was always encouraged to follow his dream and develop his talent in art. While he draws inspiration from Cuba, he also explores images from the natural world. The intricate patterns found in flowers, insects, and birds are expressed in a surrealist, pop art style which reflects his fascination with Spanish painter Salvador Dali. A man of many interests, Garcia’s association with the famous Gibson Custom Shop led him to create a series of highly collectable one of kind painted guitars. While these guitars sold quickly after completion, the artist is working to add more to the collection as time will allow.

After refining his artistic vision at The Art Institute of Miami, Garcia has enjoyed a rich and diverse career which started with a commission to create a mural for the hit TV show “Miami Vice.” In the '90s Garcia created a series of iconic works for Absolut Vodka. He has been the official artist of the Grammy Awards three times, and he was commissioned by The United Nations Postal Administration in 1998 and 2003. His stamps brought awareness to the growing plight of the rainforest and its inhabitants and to the vanishing supply of freshwater

To celebrate the start of Garcia’s “Colors of Om” exhibition, there will be on opening reception at Hilton | Asmus Contemporary on Friday, Nov. 2 from 6-9 p.m. The gallery, located at 716 N. Wells Street, is in Chicago’s River North Art District at the corner of Wells and Superior.


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