The Art Students League of NY In its landmark contributions not only to New York but to artistic canon as a whole, the historical Art Students League has been an iconic institution in the artist’s fight for freedom of expression, beauty, and bringing the city to newer heights. In an exhibition supported by the New York International Contemporary Art Society, the Base Intercultural / Community of the Americas (Bi/Coa) and the Nueva York Poetry Press, the international gallery Saphira & Ventura, is honored to present Iberoamerican Artists, an ambitious exhibition presenting works by leading contemporary artists based in the United States with backgrounds from various nations in Ibero-America.Co-curated by the New York based curators, Alcinda Saphira and Monica Sarmiento-Archer.

In its rich history, the Art Students League of New York, founded in 1875, has been a resourceful component in keeping the arts strong not only in New York but the rest of the United States in its pioneering years. Notable Alumni include Georgia O’Keefe, Winslow Homer, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, among others. In this upcoming exhibition, tribute is paid to Ecuadorian-American artist, Hugo Bastidas, an artist dedicated to exploring engaging themes in his works ranging from history, humanity, but also elements such as water, the earth, and the impact of human civilization.

The Art Students League of NY

This exhibition introduces the work of Milagros Villanueva and Susana Aldanondo (Argentina), figurative artists who touch on memories, with her own contemporary methods, works by Luis Romero (Colombia) that capture a surge of frenzy and energy. Among these students is alumni Monica Sarmiento-Archer (Ecuador), recognized for her long dedication to the New York art scene; capturing the energy and momentum of different mediums, the multi-disciplinary artist has won numerous awards and recognition for her work. Jaime Vasquez (Peru), a painter whose hellenic influences harmonize the classics of antiquity with modern themes,  objects, towers and trains of New York city. The city as a theme also serves as inspiration for Rene Nascimento (Brazil), whose delicate strokes capture cosmopolitan life in all its vivid movements and colors. The approach is quite different when one imagines surreal worlds and fantastical objects, which is the case of Tony Rodriguez (Cuba).

Curated by: Alcinda Saphira & Monica Sarmiento-Archer

Production: Diego Ponce / Albert Valente / Liz Carvalho 
Design: Camila Crivelenti