HÉCTOR ARCE-ESPASAS
ROYAL, 2015
List of works (clockwise from the door)
Upstairs
Héctor Arce-Espasas
CROWN (silver), 2015
Glazed porcelain
H 26cm x W 30cm x D 30cm
EYHAE010
Héctor Arce-Espasas
REGIO, 2015
Acrylic and ink on raw linen canvas
200 x 150 cm
EYHAE012
Héctor Arce-Espasas
TIGHT UP (silver), 2015
Acrylic and ink on canvas
195 x 150 cm
EYHAE011
Héctor Arce-Espasas
Royal Gardener John Rose presenting a
Pineapple to King Charles II, 1675 (After
Hendrick Danckerts), 2015
Acrylic and ink on canvas
255 x 190 cm
EYHAE017
Héctor Arce-Espasas
BUST OF CHARLES II, 2015
Unglazed porcelain
H 54cm x W 39cm x D 26cm
EYHAE009
Downstairs
Héctor Arce-Espasas
FRUIT STACKS x 15 (as seen in exhibition), 2015
Glazed porcelain
Dimensions variable
EYHAE015-01 - EYHAE015-14
Héctor Arce-Espasas
REGIA (fade), 2015
Acrylic and ink on canvas
195 x 150 cm
EYHAE003
Héctor Arce-Espasas
SHAKE DOWN (black and white), 2015
Acrylic and ink on canvas
200 x 150 cm
EYHAE002
Héctor Arce-Espasas
NIGHT MISCHIEF (yellow), 2015
Acrylic and ink on canvas
135 x 105 cm
EYHAE005
Héctor Arce-Espasas
BOTTLES (yellow) x 15, 2015
Glazed porcelain
Dimensions vary
Héctor Arce-Espasas
BOOM BYE BYE (fade), 2015
Acrylic and ink on canvas
195 x 150 cm
EYHAE004
Héctor Arce-Espasas
SUAVE (gold), 2015
Acrylic and ink on canvas
200 x 150 cm
EYHAE001
Héctor Arce-Espasas
WASHOUT (black & white), 2015
Acrylic and ink on canvas
50 x 40 cm
EYHAE013
Héctor Arce-Espasas
DANCERS x 9, 2015
Glazed porcelain
Dimensions variable
EYHAE016-01 - EYHAE016-09
Héctor Arce-Espasas
BOTTLES (silver) x 15, 2015
Glazed porcelain
info@evelynyard.com | www.evelynyard.com | Evelyn Yard Gallery, Evelyn Yard, London, W1T 1HN | +44 (0) 20 7323 0805
EYHAE007
Dimensions vary
EYHAE008
Evelyn Yard is pleased to present ROYAL by Héctor Arce-Espasas. This is the first London exhibition
by Puerto Rican artist and presents a new body of work consisting of paintings and ceramics.
Arce-Espasas’ work focuses on heritage, cultural identity, and historical timelines. Since graduating, he
has addressed ideas of the Exotic, immigration, Colonialism and Post-Colonialism both within the
Caribbean and in his adopted home, NYC.
Using the image of flamboyant King Charles II found in the collection of the British Museum just a
short distance from the gallery, (who is also famously immortalized in a life-size statue in Soho
Square), Arce-Espasas introduces us to the moment in which King Charles II is presented with the
epitome of the Exotic, the pineapple. This along with other exotic fruits, as seen in his ceramic ‘fruit
stacks’ in the exhibition, caused a frenzy in 17th Century Europe and were often rented by the hour to
adorn fruit bowls of the chattering classes as a sign of good taste and social standing. The fruits often
end up at Royal court where they were ultimately consumed.
Puerto Rico, an unincorporated U.S. territory can be seen to be a colony of the American Empire.
Although citizens of the United States, whilst living on the island Puerto Ricans are not allowed to
vote in the Presidential Elections and are reduced to exotic minions.
In this exhibition at Evelyn Yard, the Latin derriere and palm trees have now replaced ‘the pineapple’
as exotic and seductive. Large scale paintings in gold, silver and Caribbean sunsets create the tone
and backdrops for a riot of dancing and indulgence created in metallic glazed porcelain. The exotic
here becomes, free, fun, and delicious, reveling in itself.
Arce-Espasas, graduated from Hunter college, New York 2011
Recent awards and nominations include: Rema Hort Mann Foundation, Van Lier Fellowship (ISCP)
Residencies include: LMCC Program (Lower Manhattan Cultural Council), New York; AIM Program The
Bronx Museum of the Arts
Recent exhibitions include: The Go Between, curated by Eugenio Viola, Museo Nazionale di
Capodimonte, Naples, Italy; I never called you a dream, East Hampton Shed, East Hampton, NY; June
Snow, Evelyn Yard, London, UK- all 2014. AIM Bronx Biennale, Bronx Museum, NY, USA; S-files La
Bienal, El Museo del Barrio, NY, USA; Impresiones, relieves y resonancias, Museo de Cayey, San Juan,
Puerto Rico – all 2013.
Arce-Espasas hosts D’Marquesina a New York based Latin party.
info@evelynyard.com | www.evelynyard.com | Evelyn Yard Gallery, Evelyn Yard, London, W1T 1HN | +44 (0) 20 7323 0805