Page 24 - august2017lifeinnaples

JUAN

by Sandra Lee Buxton
I t only takes a brief chat with Juan to understand

that the joy he feels in life is reflected in his
art. Juan’s art is vibrant, bold, stimulating and
exciting, a contrast to his quiet reserved manner.
Born in Bogota, Colombia, his father was also
an accomplished artist who recognized talent
in Juan prior to the age of five. His father was a
professional sculptor and ceramist who graduated
from Colombia’s National University and was
also an art professor at The National Service of
Learning. What a pedigree! The love of art was
definitely inherited and then with exposure and
mentoring Juan developed into the gifted artist
that he is today.
His family moved from Colombia to Naples
when Juan was a teenager. He has used art as a
creative outlet as he sought to understand life
complexities such as freedom, respect and equality.
Juan also explored the performing arts and is very
comfortable going outside the established idea of
art and creativity. He spent three years working
alongside of another Naples artist to develop
business and administration prowess which is
crucial as a business owner in the world of Art.
Describing Juan as a contemplative and engrossed
artist may be too mild.

FREEDOM FIGHTER, 2012
MIXED MEDIA ON LINEN, 80” X 60”
JUAN DIAZ 2012
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