Culture & Education

Félix Martínez Villalonga

Mr Felix Martínez Villalonga was born in January 28th in Havana, Cuba. Years later, he moved to Island of Pine. He began his professional artistic career in 1976 in a Graphic design Firm. Studying under outstanding Artists from the Spanish School heritage, (Escuela Española) as well as a student of one of the most prestigious Art Academies in the Americas, San Alejandro Art School, he has dedicated his Artistic interest and Specialization in the Muralist Style and theme.

He graduated as a Graphic Designer and accredited Muralist by a recognized Graphic Design Academy. He continued his Art studies until he became a certified Instructor.

Mr.Villalonga also studied in the Graduate Institute of Design, and completed specializations in Industrial Design as well as Interior Design. His artistic endeavors were always extremely prolific and engaging. Following an extensive period of Private and collective exhibits, creating multiple Murals, Interior design, Social and individual Projects, he received one of the highest recognitions in Cuban culture.

His earlier artistic interests such as landscapes, portraits, Still life, and other themes, permeated his work initially. Attracted by Russian Artists, he dedicated part of his life to the study of Great Russian masters such as Shinshkin and Alvazovsky. Inspired by the sub-aquatic landscape of the Caribbean Sea, he combined his expertise as an expert diver and began his sub-aquatic painting period.

He has participated in international collective and private exhibits travelling to countries such as France, Spain, Germany, and others. The Catalonian Painting style (Barcelona), through the works of artists such as Luis Roura, Croagna, and Dali, continuously inform his sub-aquatic themes.

In the depths of his Island, he has practiced a peculiar way of painting under the ocean, becoming one of the few artists who have mastered this technique. At that stage of his artistic life, the ocean becomes the main source of inspiration for his work, from which sublime light and colors emerge and surprise the audience through his paintings. Rendering light in his own style, almost figuratively, at times, like suggesting a path toward life itself, brings a spiritual quality to his paintings. “We all look for that light that comes from above, and can only be seen by those who believe in it”, states Mr. Villalonga with great faith. He currently resides in the city of Boston where he has participated in several exhibits and interviews.

His master pieces have been published in Art catalogues such as: Art Nexus, Bellas Artes Habana, Cuba Maravilla del Mundo, Galeria Las Americas, Miami, Matanzas, Cuba, etc.

Currently, he offers his artwork and specialties through his company FeloVillalonga Art Galleries, in partnership with the Galleries Director/Representative, Carmen Rojas Larrazabal.

ART EXHIBITS

INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITS, CUBA

1979 - Casa de la Cultura, Los Arabos (Matanzas, Cuba)
1982 - Casa de la Cultura Municipal Nueva Gerona (Island of Youth, Cuba)
1983 - 1rst Municipal Exhibition of Art Instructors (Cuba)
1985 - Casa de la Cultura Algeria Libre (Youth Island, Cuba)
1987 - Gallery of Universal ArtsReproduction (Cuba)
1988 - Center of Design (Youth Island, Cuba)
1992 - Gallery La Bodeguita (Youth Island, Cuba)
1992 - Gallery Club Juvenil (Island of Youth, Cuba)
1993 - Exhibition SOS Pelican Hotel (Cayo Largo,Cuba)
1994 - Exhibition SOS Festival Sub International (Youth Island, Cuba)
1995 - Art GalleryYellow and Blue (Cuba)
1998 - 1rst SubHispanicPhotography- French Colony Nueva Gerona, (Youth Island, Cuba)
2001 - International Press Center Exhibition, (Habana, Cuba)

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITS

1995 - Germany (Privateexhibit)
1995 - Palma de Mallorca (España), (Privateexhibit)
1995 - GalleryBalt (Costa Brava, España)
1998 - 37th International NauticalExhibition (Barcelona, España)
1999 - BriachGallery, Costa Brava, (España)
1999 - ScienceUniversity of Girona, (España)
2002 - La Boheme Fine Arts, Coral Gables, Fl., USA
2003 – NaplesAnniversary, Fl, USA
2004 - Dart Factory, Hialeah, Fl. USA Fl., USA
2004 - International Boat Show, Ft. Lauderdale
2005 - Humane Society of Greater Miami, Miami
2005 - Museum of The Americas, Miami, Fl., USA
2005 - Copennhagen, Denmark
2005 - Galeria TODO ARTE, Coral Gables, FL., USA
2013- Art Exhibit at Celebrity Center, Hollywood, California
2013, Art Exhibit at University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
2014, Art Exhibit at HistoricalBiltmore Hotel (1926), ThirdWorldCongress of Poetry and Arts.

COLECTIVE EXHIBITS

1978 - Club Pinero, Island of Pines , Cuba
1980 - Sixth National Festival Enthusiasts, Cuba
1983 - Gallery of Universal Art Reproduction, Cuba
1984 - Exhibition Center of Culture, Cuba
1984 - 1rst Municipal Exhibition of Plastic Arts, Cuba
1985 - National Popular Art Fair, Cuba
1986 - 1rst National Gathering of Design, Cuba
1986 - II Exhibition of Plastic Art, Cuba
1989 - Club Pinero, Cultural Center, Island of Pines, Cuba
1989 - VI Municipal Exhibition of Plastic Arts, Island of Pines, Cuba
1990 - II National Gathering of Design 1994 - Visual Arts Development Center, Cuba
1994 - Visual Arts Development Center, Cuba
1997 - Exhibition Gallery of Plastic Arts , Cuba

ESTUDIOS

1982 - GraduateSchool of Art Instructors, Cuba
1987–Masters in Interior and FurnitureDesign, Cuba
1990–Graduatestudies in DrawingontheRightside of thebrain, Cuba

RECONOCIMIENTOS Y PREMIACIONES

1980 - Mention, VI Festival, Cuba
1983 - Mention, Gallery AlejoCarpentier, Cuba
1985 - Mention, National Fair of Popular Art, Cuba
1985 - 2nd place, Exhibition of Plastic Arts Instructors, Cuba
1986 - Mention, II Exhibition of Plastic Arts, Cuba
1989 - Mention, Club Pinero, Merit to Cuban Culture, granted by the National Council of Plastic Arts, Cuba
2013- Official Diploma as Ambassador of Peace through the Arts, received from the Major of Los Angeles, Mr. Eric Garcetti.
2014- Official Diploma as Distinguished Coordinator and Curator of the Collective Art Exhibit for the Third World Congress of Hispanic-American Poetry and the Arts.

Additional Experience:

-Gallery Director, Miami
-Furniture design and restoration
-Muralist
-Graphic Design
-Interior Design, sets and Industrial
-Art, Drawing and Painting Professor
-Interior and Exterior Decoration
-Coordinator and Director of Construction Projects
-Nautical and Marine Design Artist