*Gerardo Mansang:* A visual artist from the island of San Andres, Colombia, who now lives and works in Hamilton. Formally trained as an architect and with a degree in Fine Art, he arrived in Hamilton over 10 years ago, where he worked with SISO as an art therapist helping recent refugees cope with their experiences through art. Gerardo has become a leader in his community. He has recently opened a
n art
gallery in The Pearl District at King and Steven where he is creating an environment for both local and immigrant artists. He is determined to provide opportunities for collaboration between the work of fellow South Americans and local Hamilton artists. Stepping into his gallery is like walking into a South American landscape:brilliant colours, irrepressible enthusiasm, all accompanied by Gerardo’s huge smile and energetic presence.
*Gerardo’s Work:*
Gerardo Mansang paints primarily with acrylics on canvas using a pallet that is rich in colour and symbolism inspired by his Caribbean island home and its diverse ethnic population. Mansang’s brush has become a conduit channelling the inspiration of the Caribbean Sea: the colours, the light,
the marvellous scenarios of the marine floor, the mosaic of nature’s colours, the beat of an ancient calypso inspired by the coral, the sea salt and his ancestors. His work has been on display in Vancouver,Montreal , Toronto, Miami, New York, Bogota, San Andres Island and Hamilton
Gallerie Place des Arts, Montreal; Galeria Miguel Ordoqui, Miami; Metro Convention Centre, Toronto; Galeria El Patio, New York; Arts Hamilton Gallery, The Pearl Company, Hamilton.
