Description

Untitled by Jose Enrique Portas
Painting
2012
21″ x 17″
Gift of Jean Geisel

About the Artist

Jose Enrique Portas was born near Valencia, Spain, and grew up studying Music at the Conservatory of Music “Mestre Vert” in Carcaixent, before visual art captured his attention. He attended RIT and received both a Bachelor and Masters of Fine Art. Working in many mediums, his focus is in oil painting.

His works are driven by memories – something he notes often become distorted overtime to the point of unrecognition or misinterpretation. From the artist, “Suddenly the past intermingles with the present and becomes what seems to be an inevitable future. As with dreams, memories can be disconcerting or comforting … they may be riddled with symbolism and an uncomfortable sense of the unknown or lucid with certainty and a secure sense of knowing.”

Portas has taught at St. John Fisher College and Empire State College, and previously taught printmaking, drawing, and painting during his time at RIT. He has also given lectures and workshops around the region, and exhibited both nationally and internationally.

Portas currently has an oil painting entitled Eight Billion on view in our 34th Annual Members Exhibition through February 15. Make sure to see both of his artworks next time you stop in to RoCo.

Learn more about the artist on his website.

RoCo’s Davis-Havens Sales Gallery offers artworks of all styles at a range of prices, all to benefit Rochester Contemporary Art Center. Hundreds of artworks, which have been donated by collectors (and some artists), are rotated on view regularly. Artworks have been given expressly for this ongoing fundraiser so prices are often significantly discounted. All proceeds from the sale of these artworks support the long term future of RoCo.
Our Future Fund Featured Find is a new initiative highlighting a different artwork and artist each month.