Rewriting the Myth

In Rewriting the Myth, Cuban-born artist Carlos Gamez de Francisco presents a dynamic body of contemporary figurative and portrait paintings that merge classical technique with imaginative symbolism. Working primarily in acrylic on canvas, Carlos draws from the visual language of Renaissance portraiture while introducing surreal elements—flowers, insects, animals, and ornate objects—that challenge traditional narratives of beauty, power, and identity. His richly colored compositions balance discipline and freedom, reflecting both his rigorous academic training and his desire to reshape history through art.

Rooted in personal experience and cultural memory, these paintings explore themes of transformation, resilience, and belonging. Figures appear suspended between realism and fantasy, often accompanied by insects that symbolize freedom, chaos, and equilibrium. Decorative furniture and lush environments reference Carlos’s childhood in Cuba, while hybrid imagery invites viewers into a reimagined world where history is fluid and open to reinterpretation. Together, the works in Rewriting the Myth offer a vibrant, contemporary vision of portraiture—one that celebrates imagination as a tool for reclaiming narrative and redefining identity.