Benefit Art Auction - work by Jose Antonio Pantoja Hernandez
Auction to Benefit Faith Based Early Childhood Center
The deep generosity of Tulsa artist, Jose Antonio Pantoja Hernandez, is matched only by his desire to provide a future for the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church/School.
The preschool, that has been a special part of his family for many years is facing financial obstacles and needs support in order to stay in operation. Mr. Hernandez, whose children attend the school, saw the need and stepped forward to offer an extremely special and poignant piece of his artwork at auction. The piece titled “Christ the Savior” (2020) is an original acrylic on canvas. It measures 29” x 39” and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Proceeds from the sale of the piece will directly benefit the preschool by providing a means to sustain its location.
Buyers Syndicate Option:
If you are interested in making a charitable donation to the church in support of the preschool we welcome you to become a member of a buyer's syndicate. Interested parties can contribute to the total purchase price in amounts of $10.000, $25,000 or $50,000. The individual making the highest contribution over $50,000 will take possession of the painting. All others will be recognized for their contribution. Please contact Brenda Johnson at brenda@pickensauctions.com or 405-880-5887 for more details.
For more about the beneficiary see:
https://www.ctrtulsa.org/early-childhood-center/
About the artist...
José Antonio Pantoja Hernández was born in Cuba in 1971. As artist who grew up in the Mayabeque Province of Cuba, in the city of Bejucal, “Pantoja” received apprenticeships as a carpenter and woodworker using antiquated tools. As his interests turned to painting and sculpting, he sought visual inspiration from a small collection of art books that showcased mainly works from Masters. By 2002, Pantoja paintings began to depict everyday life in Cuba. As a member of a state-sponsored art collective, Pantoja was eventually able to exhibit his works on the streets of the Havana promenade, “El Paseo Del Prado.” There, he would often only display one or two paintings a week, selling them to tourists. Over time, his work became more surreal and somber. Eventually, he began to paint what he calls “the errors of the Revolution.” The director of the Queretaro City Museum in Mexico learned about Pantoja’s work in 2011 and sent him an invitation to display his work in the museum. Pantoja was able to parlay that invitation into a special pass to leave Cuba. He said goodbye to his friends and family and boarded a plane to Mexico with eight paintings. When he landed in Mexico City in June of 2011, he decided not to exhibit his work and instead took a bus to border town of Nuevo Laredo. There, he crossed into U.S. border and asked for political asylum. The story of his defection was chronicled in August 2011 issue of This Land press, today Pantoja lives and paints in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
See pantojaart.com