NEWS | EVENTS

ARCLINEA BOSTON'S 'ART IN THE KITCHENS' SERIES CONTINUES
Exhibit featuring artist Juan Jose Barboza Gubo to begin January 25

BOSTON [January 10, 2005] —— On Wednesday, January 25, Arclinea Boston will present the second in its ‘Art in the Kitchens’ series showcasing Boston’s best artists, designers, and craftspeople, with an exhibit featuring the art and sculpture of Juan Jose Barboza Gubo.   

“Juan Jose’s passionate and creative sculpture and paintings are a perfect complement to Antonio Citterio’s innovative and meticulous kitchen designs,” says Arclinea Boston owner Philip Guarino.  “His work will be a vivid addition to the showroom.”

A native of Lima, Peru, Juan Jose grew up playing in his father’s architecture studio, where his love of art and design was sparked.  His parents provided him with art supplies at a young age and signed him up for art classes when he was nine-years-old.  Four years later, Juan Jose began studying with Miguel Angel Cuadros, a well-known professor of the Peruvian School for the National Arts, and later, at Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, widely recognized as the best art school in Peru.

“I tried out all of the disciplines,” he says, “and settled on sculpture as the best method for helping me to develop a solid visual language.”

Inspiration for Juan Jose’s art comes from diverse sources.  The foundation of his work, whether painting, sculpture, or sketches, builds on themes used by ancient Peruvians in their own works, including sacrifice, hunting, and religion. 

But other influences are more modern.  

“I saw Javier Temple, a famous Peruvian drag artist, performing in Lima,” remembers Juan Jose, “and I was amazed by his passion for life, in spite of his status as an outcast in Peruvian society.  I arranged an interview with him, and began to see his outrageous posturing as a defense against judgment.  I set to work on sculptures inspired by his energy.”

Examples of the resulting series of sculptures—in which a cow represents Temple and its various poses represent the struggles faced by the performer and others like him—will be on display at the Arclinea showroom, alongside other examples of Juan Jose’s craft.   “I will also be displaying several abstract paintings,” says Juan Jose.  “With vivid color and geometric form, these vivid paintings present my reality and my culture.

“Humanity’s roots is the most important influence in the development of a society,” he continues.  “Humanity selects from its environment those things that have the best relation with its fundamental nature.  This is my reality and with it I compose the history of my art. In the same way, the theme and composition of my work break the canvas’ edges, using flat forms with a new proposal of color.  In this way I accomplished part of my reality combined with the themes the ancient Peruvians developed into their works.”

Juan Jose’s work has been displayed at many of the most important museums, galleries, and cultural centers in Peru.  He has also been recognized locally since relocating to Boston, where he currently studies for his master’s degree at Mass Art.  His work has been seen at the Mark Gallery in Cambridge and at the Bromfield Art Gallery in Boston, and has also been featured at galleries and exhibitions in Washington DC, Tokyo, Athens, and Rivoli, Italy.

Examples of Juan Jose Barboza Gubo’s art can be previewed at the artist’s web site, www.gubo.net.  His sculpture and paintings will be on display at Arclinea Boston, located at 10 St. James Avenue in Boston’s Design District, beginning January 25.

Arclinea Boston is the first flagship showroom in the United States for Arclinea—an industry leader in the manufacturing of luxury, contemporary kitchens, designed and coordinated by the acclaimed Italian architect Antonio Citterio.  Arclinea kitchens are differentiated by their innovative design, creative technology and exquisite materials.  The Boston showroom showcases examples of the entire Arclinea Collection, and offers consumers a full-service, turnkey solution to their kitchen design process. 

For more information about Arclinea Boston or about the ‘Art in the Kitchens’ series, please call 617/357-9777 or visit the Arclinea Boston web site, www.arclineaboston.com. 

For press inquiries, please contact Chris Kelly at 617/532-0574 or ckelly@fifthhousepr.com.