Sunday, April 1, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
El Negro Primero
El Negro Primero (The First Black)
Oil on canvas
30" x 26"
2012
Pedro Camejo, better known as Negro Primero, or 'The First Black' (San Juan de Payara, Venezuela, 1790 – Campo Carabobo, Venezuela, June 24, 1821) was a Venezuelan soldier who at first fought with the royal army, only to later go over to the rebel army during the Venezuelan War of Independence, reaching the rank of lieutenant.
The nickname of Negro Primero was inspired by his bravery and skill in handling spears, and because he was always in the first line of attack on the battlefield. It is also attributed to his having been the only officer of colour in the army of Simon Bolívar.
The nickname of Negro Primero was inspired by his bravery and skill in handling spears, and because he was always in the first line of attack on the battlefield. It is also attributed to his having been the only officer of colour in the army of Simon Bolívar.
[edit] Biography
Camejo was a slave of Vicente Alonzo in Apure. At the beginning of the movement for independence he was part of the royalist army. He joined the cause of liberation in 1816, entering the ranks, in Apure, of General Páez with whom it is said he struck up a great friendship. In 1818, when the General-in-Chief Simón Bolívar arrived in San Juan de Payara, during the Campaign of the Centre, he saw Camejo for the first time. The bravery and robustness of the warrior, together with the recommendation given by General José Antonio Páez, awoke Bolívar's interest, and he then struck up a brief conversation, formulating some questions which Pedro Camejo answered with ingenuity and simplicity, explaining that while he had initially joined the ranks of the republican army out of greed, he had later understood that the struggle had other, higher purposes.
He was one of the 150 lancers who participated in the Battle of Las Queseras del Medio, and on that occasion he received the Order of Liberators of Venezuela. In the Battle of Carabobo, he fought with one of the cavalry regiments of the first division commanded by José Antonio Páez. Eduardo Blanco, in his book "Venezuela Heroica", describes the moment when, gravely wounded, Camejo presented himself before General Páez and, with an unfailing voice said to him: "My general, I come to tell you goodbye, because I am dead". It is curious that José Antonio Páez in his autobiography does not describe the well-known actions of Camejo in the Battle of Carabobo, but rather limits himself to saying that Camejo fell mortally wounded with the first shots.
Friday, February 10, 2012
The painting " The Fall of False Revolution" present in an optimistic way, a future setting where Chavez's regime it has already fallen. See all the red Mannequins laying on the ground dead. Those represent Chavez's followers. I also introducing in this painting a Man playing a typical musical instrument called Cuatro. It is a small version of a guitar. He is celebrating the Fall of Chavez's and his followers revolution by playing songs. The Blue Mannequin represents the opposite of the red ones. Represents people who stand for freedom, real Democracy and peace!
If you want to read the explanation of the painting "False Revolution", go to my older post on the main page.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
“Many Histories, One Spirit” – Hispanic Heritage Month at GE.
Date : Wednesday, October 26th
Place : GE headquarters at 4200 Wildwood Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339
Time : 11:30 – 1 p.m.
Artists:
Carlos Solis
Jose Pena
Pedro Fuertes
And Stanley Bermudez.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Solo Exhibit: Gallery 133 Knoxville, TN.
Solo Art Exhibit
Location: 133 Gallery
Phone
Date: Nov 4, 2011
Time: 6-9
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)