Local Artist Inspired By Cubism and Cigars

On Saturday, cigar shop in Port Jefferson hosted an whose artwork is inspired by his love of the atmosphere surrounding cigars in a show titled,

Much of Gerena’s work is influenced by his admiration of Cubist painters. He said that Picasso is one artist he looks up to. His portraits break down the figure into basic angles and shapes much like the early masters of the style and mimic them by relying on a limited palette of earthy tones.

There is a sense of the classic in his work even though much of it deals with modern issues. One painting titled “Chaotic Unity” Gerena painted in response to the uprising of citizens in Egypt against their government this February. In another, a skeletal figure applies lipstick, a painting done in reaction to watching too much of the popular reality show featuring wealthy housewives in various cities.

Fred Peritore from Mitch King Leathers in Setauket showed off a leather handbag that Gerena had helped him design from his series of paintings featuring hearts and keyholes. At the bar Billy Etsch of Rocky Point was pouring flights of his unique blend of homemade wines featuring a tasty green apple Riesling.

Check out our slide show of photos from the art show on Saturday night.