Rolando Duartes Rensoli. Cuba (1955) Member of ARTISCHOCK, Switzerland. Rolando started his professional career as a graphic designer with the National Theatre in Havana, producing art posters to promote the theatre's major productions. Previously, he had completed studies in Graphic Design and Art History at the University of Havana. In 1987 he held his first exhibition of his own work. They were oil paintings under the theme of "Habitat" and comprised what he calls "abstract Interpretations of architectural elements in and around Havana". Fortunately for Rolando, the public and the critics liked what they saw and his exhibition sold out. Since 1987, Rolando has mounted many exhibitions in Cuba, The Philippines, Colombia, Switzerland, China, Uzbekistan, Japan, Sweden and Denmark. Critics have remarked on his powerful use of colour to show personal emotions and feelings. One of his most important exhibitions was held in 1996 with the theme: "Fiat Lux" (Make light). "It was a kind of philosophical exploration of the human condition, using the human body, mythology and earthy colours.” I think everybody has a moment when we analyse our lives and see where we are, where we're going, when we look at what we're doing. I was trying to express something about the human tragedy - to deal with the feelings you get from the media about the tragic side of human existence - the starving, the poor, the oppressed, the downtrodden, the lonely, the old and the weak. This exhibition was very strong." And again, the critics liked it, though this time around they were a little shocked by the more avant garde approach and the visions it held of a dark future. Rolando says that art is not just for artists, that its effect can be observed among people in all societies. For example, the first time Rolando came to Denmark, he became aware of the high suicide rate in Scandinavia. Out of this came an exhibition called "Therapeutic Pictures" which aimed to use paintings to help people get through their depression and emotional conflicts. The exhibition was shown in both Denmark and Switzerland. Says Rolando: "This is art working for ordinary people. Trying to provide an outlet for feelings and issues that often they find hard to express. To give them a place where those feelings to come into the light." "Art is not just stuff to put on your walls and make life look pretty. Of course it can be that but it has the power to be so much more." Colours - their uses and their powers - have been the subject of much reflection and study by Rolando. "Colours influence all aspects of our lives whether we're aware of it or not. For example: When we stand outside in a summer field and we see all the green, it helps us to feel tranquil. When we see the blue sky we have this feeling of freedom. When we see the grey skies of Danish winter, we recognise how much were really need colour and light in our everyday lives," he says. Interview by Greg Newbold at The International People’s College, Helsingør 2003