An exhibit of art by Maximo Caminero had its opening reception at Perrine Community House on Jan. 18, part of the continuing partnership of ArtSouth and the Village of Palmetto Bay.
Caminero’s work, all large in scale, is done in the abstract style, his roots in impressionism, in a variety of media. His exhibition is titled, “The New Transition.”
Born in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, Caminero considers himself self-taught as an artist, although he did take painting classes with the Dominican artist Nidia Sierra. He was later drawn to architecture, enrolling in the University Pedro Henríquez Ureña, but left that behind after a few months.
“I did not like algebra or geometry, so I left architecture, without realizing that, paradoxically, sacred geometry would be an essential part of my work,” he said later.
He has won a number of awards — here in Miami, in the Dominican Republic and elsewhere. His first solo show, “Costumbres Dominicanas,” was in Miami in 1991, and his work has been exhibited in various galleries around the country and abroad. As executive director of ArtSouth, he has a special fondness for Perrine Community House.
“As an artist we have to show everywhere,” Caminero said at the opening. “I’ve been working with this institution, ArtSouth Miami, for many years already. I’m glad to come to this place. I love it. They’re doing a great job.”
When asked to describe his style of art, he said, “It’s geometrical, it’s an abstraction, surrealist. There are so many ways, because I work with many different dimensions.”
Caminero only does solo shows every few years, but his work will appear in upcoming shows here, in Mexico and other countries.
Leanne Frazee Tellam, a Palmetto Bay resident who is an Associate with the law firm of Marlow, Adler, Abrams, Newman & Lewis, attended the exhibit opening and liked the venue for Caminero’s art and the others she has seen so far.
“I am thoroughly enjoying the fact that we are filling this place with art each month, and hope that people come out to support it,” Tellam said. “Every exhibit shows a different aspect of the venue, and fills it out so nicely that it’s just a great way to spend your evening.
“The distinction between the artists and the mediums they’re representing makes it something you should see every month. It’s supporting local artists, supporting culture in Palmetto Bay, and it’s a really wonderful place for us to join together to be a community,” she added.
The next exhibition will feature the work of Helen Sandow in a presentation called “The Best of Nature.” She moved to Palmetto Bay in the 1970s and worked for more than 20 years in commercial graphics and printing. She loves painting animals. The opening reception will be on Feb. 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Perrine Community House, 900 Perrine Ave. in Palmetto Bay.
