Sunny Ring was dedicated during Art Basel 2014 as a permanent installation at the mouth of the Miami River and Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami, FL. Sunny ring is a tribute to the delicate balance of love, life and responsibility. “Sunny” is the artist’s wife, the circular form represents life and the ceremonial ring of marriage, and the exposed bolts represent the daily work that goes into holding such a delicate relationship together. As with all lugufelo art, the piece was designed to withstand corrosion caused by its proximity to the salt water, as well as potential hurricane winds.
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Step into the world of pure beauty and nature with “Purple Petals,” a stunning art piece that captures the essence of a flower opening up to the world. This limited edition series features six unique colors, with one currently in a private collection in Boston, MA. Available for purchase, this piece is perfect for art lovers and high-end collectors seeking to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to their collection. “Purple Petals” is a true masterpiece, a statement piece that is sure to spark conversation and inspire wonder and awe. Don’t wait to make it a part of your collection today.
Like many artists, I keep the plans of original creations; for some reason, those designs reappear over the years; that is the case with the “Key West Bench.”
I took it out of the drawer after I used its leg to support surfboard shapes for the Venice Art Center as a memorial bench, and from many designs, I found this one to be my favorite, so I decided to create it and present it to you.
It is named “The Key West Bench” to honor that historic paradise and its connotation of rest and relaxation.
The prototype is made of wood and is located at my studio, where you can stop by anytime and sit down on it and enjoy a coffee with me. Send me an email with your opinion, or if you want one for your backyard, front yard, porch, or your pool area. It can also serve as a memorial bench or to celebrate a special occasion in your family or community. Additionally, the bench can be installed in parks, commercial properties, residential properties, and public art installations.
Luis esboza una sonrisa de complacencia mientras me pasea por los alrededores del Venice Art Center, un lugar que se ufana de exhibir cuatro de sus esculturas: Torso, Sunny, Pétalos y Mariposa roja. Me explica que cada una de ellas representa los conceptos que guían su arte: la naturaleza, los animales y el ancestro nativo americano. Luis Guillermo Fernández Lovera, Lugufelo, es un artista venezolano radicado desde 1990 en Florida. Cuando vino a Venice para asistir a una Convención de Arte Público en diciembre de 2016 se enamoró de la belleza del sitio. Percibió que este lugar ofrecía una fuente de inspiración para su arte: la luz, el color, la vegetación y la abundante fauna silvestre. Así fue como decidieron mudarse con su esposa Sunny y su hijo Simón de cinco años, y convertir este en el centro de creación.
Lugufelo mantiene un taller en Miami donde conserva sus piezas y labora en las gigantescas estructuras que constituyen su arte.
El Venice Art Center recientemente inauguró la pieza llamada Torso en la entrada de su edificio localizado en la Calle Nokomis de la isla de Venice. La obra es un homenaje a las culturas indígenas de las Américas. Representa el torso de un hombre inclinado sobre el suelo para reflejar el acto de trabajo manual. Esta escultura hace parte de una serie dedicada a los nativos americanos e incluye otras partes del cuerpo: ojo, pie y mano. Cada figura mide más de dos metros y se pueden ver en forma autónoma.
Lugufelo mantiene un taller en Miami donde conserva sus piezas y labora en las gigantescas estructuras que constituyen su arte.
Luis cuenta que se inspiró en su abuela, una princesa de una tribu indígena de Venezuela, quien le enseñó sobre sus tradiciones ancestrales y le dio las herramientas para sentirse orgulloso del pasado amerindio. La serie la complementan otras piezas escultóricas de “atrapa sueños” recreados en diversas modalidades. El arte de Lugufelo comprende una variedad de temas y conceptos. Gran parte de las figuras tienen como objetivo traducir la naturaleza a través del arte. Por eso, la variedad de mariposas, flamingos, elefantes, peces y flores que despliegan su colorido y armonía.
Sus esculturas se pueden ver en calles y hoteles de California, North Carolina y Colorado. En Florida se hallan en sitios públicos de Orlando, Miami, Coconut Creek, Doral y ahora en Venice. Otras se encuentran en colecciones privadas y en galerías.
Lugufelo prefiere que su arte sea público y no limitado a unos cuantos que visitan una exposición. Varios críticos han calificado las piezas de Lugufelo como arte cinético. Esta categoría ARTE POR ELVIRA SÁNCHEZ-BLAKE Viene de la página 39 se refiere a la confluencia de variadas estructuras geométricas con color, luz y movimiento. La crítica de Arte, Milagros Bello, expresa que en el arte de Lugufelo existe un balance entre arte y naturaleza; abstracción y simplicidad. Según Bello, Lugufelo crea una dimensión visual bajo un paradigma científico de geometría óptica con múltiples evocaciones ( http://lugufelo.com/ ).
Quiere decir que las obras escultóricas ofrecen múltiples dimensiones tanto en forma como en movimiento para darle la posibilidad al espectador de interpretar su arte desde su propia perspectiva. Lugufelo estudió con el escultor venezolano Jesús Rafael Soto y aprendió las técnicas estilísticas de Naum Gabo, Pablo Picasso y Víctor Vasarely.
Al término de nuestro recorrido por el Venice Art Center, Lugufelo expresa satisfacción de ver su obra en las instalaciones de este Centro Artístico, y por supuesto espera incursionar con su arte en Sarasota, Tampa y otras ciudades del Golfo, como uno de los artistas latinoamericanos de mayor potencial en esta área.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Lugufelo. Lugufelo, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist. I was born and raised in Venezuela, my name is Luis Guillermo Fernandez Lovera better known as “lugufelo” my artistic name, I came to the United States 20 years ago, escaping from a Latin American country full of political corruption and social instability. I was attracted to art since I was a child, my parents always encouraged me and my brothers into the music, painting and sculpting as important venues in an advanced community. I never formally studied art in school but I started sculpting wood at 16, and under my big brother tutelage I started working with acrylic while I was in college studying accounting, he was a great inspiration to me at that earlier stage of my life, I have been always influenced by nature and humanity.
Recently I have work with the City of Orlando and Coconut Creek Florida in a Temporary and Permanent public art installations. I have always been attracted by open spaces and the opportunity to express my view about life and nature, intervening the space with a shape that make the viewer think and get out of his comfort zone and inviting them to see beyond the actual proposal and creating their own personal experience about the piece. I like to apply dark colors sometimes but most of my pieces are in bright primary colors maybe to sub-conscientiously reflect my positive outlook in life and my constant search for self-improvement as an artist and as a peaceful person. Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists? I believe in the past the art was a reflection of what was happening in their communities, the artist role today is to engage people with their communities through art, today with so many resources it is easy to get out there and give our opinion , artists become influencers, to open the eyes of people and make them more sensitive about their surroundings, to promote a positive mind set to make earth a better place to live.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up?Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork? Most of the time my sculptures are present in public displays around cities, parks, roundabouts, commercial buildings, hotels or private collections. Some cities are: – Coral Gables, South Miami, City of Doral, Orlando, Coconut Creek, Downtown Miami and Venice in Florida – Denver, Colorado – Napa Valley, California. The best way to support my work is becoming a collector but also following me or recommending my art to a friend or a city will be always a great support.
In the ever-evolving tapestry of our cities, the integration of classic public art with contemporary expressions stands as a fundamental pillar. It is the secret to weaving a cityscape that harmoniously marries tradition and innovation. This blending of the ages, the juxtaposition of timeless beauty and the dynamic vitality of modern creations, culminates in a city that transcends eras, appealing to a mosaic of tastes and generations.
Imagine strolling through streets where classical sculptures and avant-garde installations coexist, where grand statues whisper secrets to vibrant street murals. This fusion of artistic styles serves as a testament to our ability to evolve while paying homage to our roots. It’s an artistic journey through time that enriches the urban environment, infusing it with an energy that invigorates the soul and inspires the mind.
More than just an aesthetic endeavor, the harmonious coexistence of classic and contemporary art forges a powerful sense of unity and belonging among residents and visitors alike. These streets become more than mere thoroughfares; they become a shared cultural experience, a vibrant reflection of the city’s identity.
Such a city, replete with public art that effortlessly bridges the gap between generations, transforms into a living canvas. Every corner holds a story, every mural a conversation waiting to be had. It extends an open invitation to all to engage in a collective appreciation for art’s transformative power. Public art doesn’t just adorn these streets; it breathes life into them, fostering an atmosphere where creativity flourishes, where every passerby becomes an unwitting artist, and where the city itself becomes a work of art.
In this delicate dance between the past and the present, we find not only the promise of a harmonious cityscape but also a profound connection between generations, where the wisdom of the past informs the boundless potential of the future. Public art, with its ability to evolve while honoring tradition, is a powerful catalyst for creating cities that inspire, enchant, and unite us all in the ever-evolving story of human expression.
