José Bedia is an internationally exhibited contemporary painter. Born in Cuba, he now lives in South Florida and, over the years, has amassed a substantial collection of artworks from traditional cultures around the world. His own art has a power and hieraticism that is unusual for contemporary art and brings to mind certain aspects of tribal art, a relationship 136 that he is quick to confi rm. We recently had the opportunity to chat with José about his collection and a bit about his artistic processes. Tribal Art Magazine: You are literally surrounded by ceremonial art from “traditional” peoples, with any number of items from North and Central America, Africa, and elsewhere. What sparked your interest in these peoples and their arts? José Bedia: Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by the way of life of distinct peoples throughout the world. I always searched for ethnographic books and also enjoyed looking at other forms of culture and life, especially the relationship between the human world and nature. Later on, when I began my art studies, I became frustrated because in school I was taught only about European art, and indeed the entire education was Eurocentric. Consequently, I began to search on my own for information on other cultures that were not Western, and my interest in Pre-Colombian, Native American, and African cultures flourished. This “training” was individualized and contrary to what I was being taught in art school. My friends and peers from those years remember my executing my own version of Navajo sandpaintings on the roof of the school, while most of my colleagues were trying to emulate the French Impressionists. My main interest in these primary artistic forms was in exploring their origins and in finding archetypes. Ultimately, I think the enjoyment of tribal art makes us all better human beings. TRIBAL people José Bedia Maker of spiritual and artistic connections Interview by Alex Arthur Below left: José Bedia, Miami, 2015. Photo: José Bedia Jr. Above: José Bedia, Nkisi Nkonde, 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 182.9 x 215.9 cm. Courtesy of Alain Lecomte Gallery. Below: A shelf of masks, largely from the Congo. Right: Native American artworks, including framed ledger drawings. Photos: José Bedia Jr.
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