Firelei Baez

A wonderful artist from the Dominican Republic who had her first show in London last summer in the rather wonderful space of the South London Gallery. I am sorry it ended 8th Sep 2024- but look out for her because you will feel uplifted. Born in 1981 she moved to Miami in 1989, and went to art school in NYC.

I am a big fan because her work is big and colourful and immersive. When I was researching her I found she had decorated the Washington Heights subway - see the tropical trees in mosaic below.

The main gallery in the South London was draped in punctured indigo so it seemed there were stars and there are dancing figures "ciguapas" on the walls as well as net with jungle plants bursting through. Across the road was another immersive room... she paints these "above" - if you can access the video- do look at her process. Fabulous woman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_OqESSXovU&ab_channel=SouthLondonGallery

" At its core, the power of art lies in its ability to dismantle barriers and help you connect. Art can open our eyes to new possibilities and understandings" "I want to empower the diaspora and young people to envision possibilities beyond the constraints of the present, towards a future rooted in vibrant, thriving, and deeply personal narratives". Firelei Baez.