PKN 3 Presenter Profile: Antonio Fonseca

Photo by Donna Dufault from the 20 Artists of Worcester Gallery Show

Although I had been to open studios at 12 Crane in Southbridge and saw Antonio's impressive work in progress there; I never got to meet this wonderful sweet natured artist until last years 20 Artists of Worcester project. At that time I learned more about the global reach his artwork has attained. Not only is Antonio Fonseca one of the most valuable modern Puerto Rican artists; he also makes an impact in the Worcester area, serving as a juror for Artsworcester exhibits as well as speaking out at Worcester State College about the challenges artists face in our local economy. We are so lucky that he was not abroad this January and I am so happy to announce that he is presenting at Pecha Kucha Worcester Vol. 3!

Antonio Fonseca

Identity and Arts: Being an Individual through the globalization of arts.

Antonio Fonseca will use a selection of artwork from his early days until now to
lluminate how he maintains his identity as a Puerto Rican Rican, and
defines himself as he approaches cultural issues around the world..
See more of his work here:
http://www.viotagallery.com/

Antonio Fonseca Bio
Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico in 1972. During his youth he received an associate degree from the Republic of Costa Rica Vocational School in Illustrative and Commercial Arts in Caguas Puerto Rico (1989). Fonseca received his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the School of Fine Arts of Puerto Rico Specializing in Printmaking and Art Education in (1997). Studied under the guidance of such renown artists such as Domingo Garcia, Haydee Landing, Consuelo Gotay, Jose Alicea, Ismael Diepa, Antonio Martorell, Myrna Baez, Susana Herrero, and Jamie Suarez. Also worked and specialized in non-toxic printmaking under the guidance of Keith Howard. Also attended courses collaborative printmaking through Tamarind Institute (1998). Received a master’s degree in Fine Arts (printmaking) from Cornell University (1999). At Cornell University he studied under recognized artist such as David Diao, Stephen Poleskie, Greg Page. Victor Kord, Kay WalkingStick, and Todd McGrain.

Antonio Fonseca has been awarded several distinctions. In 1994 he won the Second Biennial of Fine Arts of Casa Roig Museum in Humacao, Puerto Rico. In 1997, he received a “Fellowship Award” from the University of Cornell in Ithaca, New York. Later in 1998, Fonseca received the distinction of the best individual showing awarded by the Puerto Rico chapter of the International Art Critics’ Association. In 1999 he received an honorable mention in “Arte Joven” in the Ponce Art Museum and an honorable mention in the 3oth International Painting Fair in the Cagnes-Sur-Mer Museum on the French Riviera. He also received recognition from the AICA, recognition from the city of Caguas and its mayor for his labor. Again at his second invitation to the International Painting Fair in France he received the third place award, year in which Puerto Rico swiped the three main awards. Fonseca has exhibited world wide in countries such as China, Europe and South America and is now known to be one of the most valuable contemporary artist of Puerto Rico.