90 Miles: De-construction, 2011-2021 –  Salzedo St. 

I imagined 90 Miles for the past ten years which became my first, large public artwork. The outdoor installation consists of nine, uneven walkable platforms. The clear floor of each element provides an aerial view of backlit photographs from important regions of migratory conflict around the world resulting in a bridge. Two pieces of the project have been exhibited; 90 Miles Habana/Miami at the Museum of Fine Arts, during the 11th Havana Biennial, and 50 Miles Venice/The Balkans at the Archaeological Museum of Venice as part of the 55th Biennial in 2013. 

90 Miles is an interactive work that invites the viewer to ascend the bridge and travel, illusively in a few minutes, over the waters of the Florida Strait connecting the two; so-close and yet-so-far extremes, of a complicated and variable mental geography that embodies the critical sociopolitical relationship between the USA and Cuba.

Although the theme of Migration has been constant in my work since the late 1980s,” this work was conceived in 2011 during the process of rapprochement and normalization of USA -Cuba relations. 90 Miles was a work that celebrated the opening, establishing this bridge of hope between the populations and families of both countries.

Unfortunately, ten years later we are in a different situation, separated more than ever due to the political situation and COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. It is an honor to be included in Illuminate Coral Gables by curator Lance Fung.  It is also a big challenge because I feel that the artwork needs to respond to the current difficult and historical moment we are in. For this reason, it was imperative that I reinterpret and deconstruct my installation by turning the bridge back into a representation of utopia versus a functional bridge. The new iteration of a divided and impassable bridge through its isolated and fragmented elements aims to provide my feelings of frustration and sadness. I look forward to reinstalling a metaphorical bridge over blue waters linking beautiful cities, connecting family and friends with images of clouds and dreams. I hope one day soon we can all rebuild and walk again.

Sandra Ramos born in 1969 in Havana, she lives and work in Miami, Florida in 1993 she graduated as a BFA from the Higher Institute of Arts ISA in Havana. 

Through a powerful visual dialogue among private and public issues, Ramos achieved international reputation since the 90’s by expressing her personal relationship to political and social realities in the Contemporary world. In her art she uses a wide range of materials and techniques such as engraving, painting, video and installation. 

Ramos has exhibited extensively for over thirty years, among her resent solo exhibitions are: “Déjà vu”. Panamerican Art Projects Gallery, Miami (2018); “Watertight: Sandra Ramos”. Arizona State University Museum, (2016). “Bridging the Past, Present and Future: Recent Works by Sandra Ramos.” American University Museum, Washington DC (2014). Puentes: entre lejanías y cercanías llevadas a cabo. XI Havana Biennial. The National Museum of Fine Arts. Havana Cuba(2012). 

Ramos work have been included in collective exhibitions such as: “Personal Space. Self Portraits on Paper”. Museum of Fine Arts. Boston (2020). School Photos and their Afterlives. Hood Museum of Art. Dartmouth College. NH. (2020). Deconstruction: A reordering of life, politics, and art. The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum FIU. Miami. (2018) “On the Horizon: Contemporary Cuban Art from the Jorge M. Pérez Collection”, PAMM Museum Miami (2018). “Adios Utopia: Dreams and Deceptions in Cuban Art Since 1950”. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis & The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. (2017). Wild Noise. Bronx Museum. NY. (2017). 

She has also participated in Venice Biennial (2013) & Havana Biennial (1994) (2012). 

Ramos received the following Art Residences: Cleveland Foundation Creative Fusion Artist in Residency (2017); The Studios of Key West Residency (2016); The Fountainhead Art Residency Miami (2011); Center for Contemporary Printmaking. Helen Frankenthaler Norwalk (2010); Fuchu Art Museum. Tokyo (2003); Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center Art Residency (2002); Barbican Center Art Residency in London (1999) .

Ramos work is in the collections of the MOMA NY, The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, The San Diego Museum of Art, PAMM, National Museum of Fine Arts in Havana, The Cornell Fine Arts Museum, The Bronx Museum, ASU Art Museum. 21c Museum Hotel Collection; The Rubin Museum of Art. NY. The Ludwig Forum für Internationale Kunst, Aachen; Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary Vienna, Fuchu Art Museum in Tokyo and others worldwide.

SANDRA RAMOS 

Born in Havana, Cuba 1969 

Lives and works in Miami. US / 2014 

Education

MFA San Francisco Art Institute, US. 2020- fall 21 (in progress)

MA Engraving- Higher Institute of Art, Havana, Cuba, 1988-1993

BA San Alejandro Academy of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba, 1984-1988

Forthcoming Project

Selected Solo Exhibitions

Selected Group Exhibitions