“Happiness is a Worn Pun” – a take on the Beatles song “Happiness Is A Warm Gun” – is a solo exhibit of abstract oil and acrylic landscapes distorted through a prism of music by Roselle Park resident José Miguelez which will be on display at the Casano Community Center Art Gallery through February 17, 2012.
Known as Xé, which is the first and last letter of his first name in Galacion Spanish, José Miguelez was a proficient and prolific sketcher at an early age, but circumstances dictated a path in the sciences and not the arts. He pursued a 20-year career in IT but after reaching the pinnacle of his profession, he found himself, in his own words, “In a quandary, foundering in a morass of borrowed dreams and fervent desires.”
In 2001, after receiving a gift of paints and brushes, Miguelez began painting as a reflection of his inner world responding to external events. Enveloped in music and his house-keeping chores, he said, “The muses tore away at my ever-crumbling mind.”
He delights in taking colors and patterns and arranges them so they “mess with your eyes”.
Of his paintings he says, “I immersed myself in the canvas; wanting of it a pristine baptismal pool in which to wash away all sins or at the very least – and this is the case – stain it with them. It’s pretty simple, really. I just paint until I think I’m done. Then, I go home.”
This is Mr. Miguelez’s first exhibit. To view more of his paintings visit his website www.madspa.com (link).
The Gallery is located in the Casano Community Center, 314 Chestnut St. Roselle Park and its hours are Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday till 5 p.m. The mission of the Gallery is to give Roselle Park residents a venue to display their artistic works and connect with the community at large. The Art Gallery accepts work only from Roselle Park residents. Artwork must be 2 dimensional, no sculpture or jewelry can be accepted. Anyone interested in displaying their work can contact Leona Seufert at (908) 241-5874.
