In honor of our People Issue, which will hit newsstands and computer screens November 25, Cultist proudly presents "100 Creatives," where we feature Miami's cultural superheroes. Have suggestions for future profiles? Email [email protected] with the whos and whys.
When artist Rick Falcon's body of work comes into view, you suddenly remember why you're not an artist and he is. His most recognizable work consists of finely drawn, caricature-like figures which command the foreground in spirits of celebration, confusion and contemplation. The media ranges from canvases, to icons, to kinetic sculpture, and (most recently) film. Some draw parallels to religious imagery, others to supernatural states. All in all, Falcon has planted a red flag of skill and passion on the Miami art world map. "A lot of people call my work this or that and has a lot of religious context," says Falcon, "but I'm more interested in finding my personal story in the work." Meaning? "Yes, there is an illustrative quality, a lot like caricature, but my work is revealing important themes of struggle, hope, and despair."
attended the Visual Arts Conservatory (Fine Arts and Painting) and
followed up with an apprenticeship under Spanish surrealist master
Alberto Pancorbo. Falcon is one of five artists represented at the
Butter Gallery in Wynwood, directed by the charismatic and edgy dealer
Francisco "Paco" De La Torre. Falcon has just opened his second solo
show with the gallery titled "Living to Die: Dying to Live," which has
been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from dedicated art lovers to
newcomers alike. And he has no intention of leaving the party (Miami
always being a party) anytime soon.
1. List five things that inspire you.
-Chemistry and quantum physics
-Ancient philosophies and systems of learning
-German art (Gerhard Richter, Joseph Beuys, Albrecht Durher)
-Psychoanalysis (Carl Jung, Slavoj Zizek, Lacan)
-Remembering my roots, coming from Cuban immigrants. That gives me humility and inspires me.
2. What was your last big project?
My solo exhibition at Butter, "Living to Die: Dying to Live," which took a year to complete.
3. What's your next big project?
My show will be re-installed in the main gallery room during Art Basel,
but I want to take time to reflect on my most recent work and let the
work direct me as opposed to me directing the work. I'm extremely picky,
so I'm hesitant to put myself in the group show environment.
4. Why do you do what you do?
I'd like to continue to be as free as possible. I think a lot of people
are insecure and they're unable to handle things. To create works that
show extreme instability and vulnerability, and to be able to be
critiqued and denounced; it is an act of assertion. I hope my work can
provide an open freedom and creativity for other people.
5. What's something you want Miami to know about you? What's something you don't want Miami to know about you?
What I don't want Miami to know about me I'm not going to tell you. But
what I do want Miami to know about me is that I've never had to leave to
LA, New York, Chicago, or anywhere else to find my success. Many
artists seek out hybrid success in other places. I understand the
frustration with not having the best education here. My work may not be
'Miami' with palm trees and flamingoes, but my work reflects this
cultural melting pot. I feel like I'm playing a role in developing the
arts scene here. I'm happy to stay here.
The Creatives so far:
