From the time he could pick up a crayon, Arturo Arboleda wanted to share his view of the world through color.
Inspired by his South American heritage and the lives of his favorite artists, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, Arboleda worked for years to establish his own artistic style. Now after almost four years of living in the United States, Arboleda is beginning to realize his dream with his second exhibition, now on view in the Salon Gallery of the Park Performing Arts Center in Union City.
“My desire is to be an artist, and I’ve known that all my life,” said Arboleda, 38, of West New York, who can remember his earliest illustrations from elementary school. “I had a thick notebook of drawings. They were my first works of art.”
Born and raised in Medellín, Colombia, Arboleda grew up around the lush plant life and exotic flora of the South American rainforest. His latest exhibition, Nature, depicts the rich backdrops that make up the landscapes of rural Colombia. Each piece, with the exception of one or two, is reminiscent of the open spaces where he spent most of his childhood days.
“I was around the forest all my life. I want to continue doing these types of nature works that bring me back to my childhood,” Arboleda said.
Arboleda’s intends for his pieces, which are filled with vibrant colors and deep green hues, to inspire tranquility and remind people of the subtle and simple beauty of the world that at times is forgotten.
“We’re living in a moment where the world is looking at socioeconomic problems,” he said. “This may invite people to take a look at more valuable things other than war.”
During these hard times, Arboleda wanted to create works that would distract the public from the harsh realities of today. He feels his images depicting beauty can even be seen as a contradiction to the world’s brutal present.
Julianne Kmiec of Pennington, who attended the exhibit, wrote, “It’s happiness during a sad time in our history.” Arboleda appreciates getting thoughts on his work and encourages everyone to write in his comment book at the gallery.
“As an artist, I love my paintings more than my image, and I really want to show the world my paintings [rather] than show myself to the world,” he said. “I wish that future generations see my art more than they see me.”
The exhibit, which has been on view since March 26, is open on Saturdays and Sundays during performances at the Park Performing Arts Center, so people who come to see a play may also view the exhibit.
Many arrive by the busload, some from different states. To Arboleda’s knowledge, people from as far away as Pennsylvania have viewed his work.
“This is the second exhibition we’ve had this year,” said Father Kevin Ashe, executive director of the performing arts center. “I think this is fascinating. We have amazing artists in Hudson County and this shows the talent within our area.”
Ashe explained that there is a need for places where the artists of this area can showcase their work, and that the performing arts center can offer them that chance.
“Our artistic director, Meriam Lobel, is the leading force to get artists in here,” said Lisa Young, administrator for the performing arts center. “We’re so happy that we’re able to present not only performing art, but visual art in our recently renovated salon space,” said Lobel. “Arturo’s paintings are so beautiful and so full of life, and he’s brought nature back into the Park Theater at just the right time of year.”
Arboleda, who previously exhibited at the Colombian Consulate in New York City, was introduced to the theater through Chris Nowlan, the previous artist to exhibit in this space. According to Lobel, Nowlan now works as part of the artist advisory group at the center to increase programming.
“This is the second exhibit we have had and we plan to have them on a continuous basis from now on,” Lobel said.
The public is invited to a reception at the gallery on Friday, April 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. At other times, the gallery is open only during performances or by appointment. All of the pieces are available for purchase.
Arboleda also has another showcase planned for July in White Plains, where he will exhibit his nature collection along with pieces from the Colombian Consulate exhibit.
For future artists to come, Arboleda advice is to work hard and perfect their own style in order to establish themselves as artists.
“When you can establish your own style, then you are making a mark in artistic history,” he said.