Jorge L Porrata

I was born in Camaguey, Cuba, on 1/1/1975 and lived in my native country for 25 years. In 2001 I emigrated to the USA and among my first goals was to study art. In May of 2008 I graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Arizona, Tucson. Since last July I moved to Fairfax, VA, where I live with my wife and son, teach art and illustrate for Homagno publishing House based in Miami. My current work integrates symbols from diverse spiritual traditions in a global iconography, titled: "Peace, Freedom and Love".

My art work has also explored the relationships between text and image in a bilingual context. Issues of identity, the role of an artist as an individual and as a social entity are also among my concerns. With poetical and political overtones, sometimes humorous, I confront through my art forms of status quo. I explore different media for getting the most suitable way to convey my messages. From etchings to installation/performance my art work intends to build a space for reflection, communication and connection among us.

Spring 2008 MFA in Illustration. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Fall 2004 Bachelor of Sciences in Biology, minor in Chemistry. New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM.
September/1992 July/1996. Bachelor in Biological Sciences (three academic years). Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Cuba.