March 7, 2005: Headlines: COS - Brazil: Art: Painting: 1960's: Personal Web Site: RPCV Tomas Belsky's paintings are inspired by his Peace Corps service in Brazil in the 1960's
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March 7, 2005: Headlines: COS - Brazil: Art: Painting: 1960's: Personal Web Site: RPCV Tomas Belsky's paintings are inspired by his Peace Corps service in Brazil in the 1960's
RPCV Tomas Belsky's paintings are inspired by his Peace Corps service in Brazil in the 1960's
RPCV Tomas Belsky's paintings are inspired by his Peace Corps service in Brazil in the 1960's
RPCV Tomas Belsky's painting are inspired by his service in Brazil in the 1960's
Danca de Canvival
Tomas Belsky writes: On my site there is the large painting "Danca de
Carnaval" oil on masonite . size about 40"h x 55" w.
I have continued to engross myself in Brazilian rhythms. This painting
is a concentrated effort to capture some of the musical vitality visually.
An experience of a carnival in Rio is not dismissed. It enters the soul,
perhaps the DNA , certainly it has influenced my work whether in the USA,
Mexico, Nicaragua or Hawai'i.
O Povo
Tomas Belsky writes: I did this painting in 1970. It is oil on canvas, around 4 ft h x 6 ft w. I was in
severe culture shock upon reentry to the states and painting this Lembranca
(memory) helped me sort myself out mentally. It shows some favella
neighbors making rhythmic sounds on an old food oil can (Alianca para
Progresso). It is not a happy picture, the colors are bright, but the
living conditions presented an eternal agony for the povo of Brazil. It's
a kind of greeting from the people of the favella to the people of the USA.
At the time I was teaching at a storefront Afro-American alternative school.
Victims
Tomas Belsky writes: This last picture you probably wont be able to decipher. It's a mother with
a family huddled about her in a densely black and morose background. I did
a sketch one rainy night while walking the streets of Sao Luiz de Maranhao
in far north-eastern Brazil where I was on vacation. I happened across the
mother huddled in the entrance of a dank and dismal church. the effect of
the painting is felt when one looks at it closely, it is designed to capture
one into the darkness and experience the dispair of the underclass that
suffer from poverty and war. The Vietnam war was raging at the time and I
was not a happy camper. It is oil on canvas @ 5ft x 6ft.
About the Artist
Tomas Belsky writes: My personal artistic
development has been continuous
since childhood. Mother said I was making
scrawls and markings on the crib as an infant.
Since 1968, I have painted seriously, always remaining
a part of what I consider the "popular culture" --
the unsung heroes of our age. At market places in Brazil,
Mexico and Nicaragua as well as California and, of course,
Hawaii, I have enjoyed doing pen/ink and watercolor
sketches of na po'e, el pueblo --o povo-- the people.
Visit Tomas Belsky's Web Site
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Story Source: Personal Web Site
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Brazil; Art; Painting; 1960's
PCOL17856
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Aloha: thanks for the excellent display. Please if possible, correct the notes under the two paintings "Victims" and "O Povo"- they should be switched. the confusion arose because I sent them separately. Again mahalo for the exposure.
Tomas Belsky
Dear Tomas,
Sorry about the mixup.
The change has been made, your paintings look great, and I had a lot of fun putting the "exhibition" together.
Best Regards,
Hugh Pickens
Co-Editor, Peace Corps Online
Hugh: thanks for the site. sorry for the delay in getting this to you--things are relayed to me via another. the painting of the three figures in bright colors should be "O Povo" (the People); the dark picture has to be rotated counter clockwise and it is entitled "Victims." I think that covers it. Again thanks and best wishes.
Tomas