Tomas Esson Cuba, b. 1963
172.7 x 137.2 cm
This compelling artwork by Tomás Esson exemplifies his innovative fusion of surrealist and grotesque elements, serving as a potent critique of authoritarian structures within the socio-political context of Cuba. Through a gestural approach marked by visceral energy and satirical depth, the painting reinterprets the classic fairy tale by depicting the Rapunzel figure as a female hybrid monstrosity—part beast, part human—symbolizing the oppressive fusion of brute force and gendered human tyranny. The composition employs provocative imagery to explore themes of power imbalance, erotic undertones, and societal confinement, where primal animalistic traits dominate civilized forms, reflecting the erosion of moral boundaries and the rise of instinctual dominance. Esson's work invites an ethical contemplation of political degradation and the persistence of archaic impulses in contemporary governance.
Exhibitions
“Retrato,” Ramis Barquet Gallery, New York, New York, United States, 1994–1995 (First public presentation of the “Retrato” series; Rapunzel, 1994, was one of the central large-scale canvases originally represented and sold by the gallery.)
“AGUA,” Vrej Baghoomian Gallery, New York, NY, United States, 1995.
“Brewster Arts LTD.,” New York, NY, United States, 1997.
“A Surrealist Century / Un Siglo Surrealista,” Cernuda Arte, Coral Gables, Florida, United States, September 6, 2024 – January 1, 2025.