Melquíades Rosario Sastre (1953) will be one of the artists included in the new Latin American art collection at the Museum of Art/Fort Lauderdale (a division of (Nova Southeastern University) in September 2010. His 2005 sculpture, “Perspectiva vertical de un vegetal” [Vertical Perspective of a Vegetable], was chosen by curator Jorge H. Santis for the collection. Inspired by the wild vegetation growing around his studio as well as the artist’s relationship with nature, “Perspectiva vertical de un vegetal” is a 7’x3’ made of local woods such as cedar, teak, mahogany, and oak. Rosario considers that nature has taught him great lessons. He says, “Trees grow, die, and do not judge; they simply live.” The Museo del Barrio in New York is also considering the acquisition of his 1984 “Flotas” [Fleets] for their collection.

Rosario’s recent exhibition at the Puerto Rico Museum of Art (MAPR), which opened in April 2009, is highly original and suggestive. “La línea de mi pensamiento” [My Line of Thought] is an array of drawings created by an array of Frisbees, remote controlled cars, robots, and other mechanical toys, reconstructed by the artist and equipped with pens, pencils, and other drawing implements. These artifacts are on display and will be used by Rosario as well as guests artists to produce more drawings. One of the premises of the collection is to show how human beings and their objects leave palpable traces in their wake.

Melquíades Rosario Sastre was born in Morovis, Puerto Rico. He studied at the School of Visual Arts (of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture) and the Art Students’ League in New York. In En 1982 he founded the Puerto Rico Association of Sculptors, which he still heads. He has presented his work in many venues on the island and abroad and has won numerous awards and honors including the Joan Mitchell Foundation Scholarship.

For full articles (in Spanish), see http://www.elnuevodia.com/conelsellodemelquiades-601009.html and http://www.vocero.com/noticia-20167-melquades_rosario_sastre_la_lnea_de_mi_pensamiento.html

“Pineapple Relief” (2006) shown here. See artwork at http://www.artnet.de/artwork/425027725/87/melquiades-rosario-sastre-pineapple-relief.html and http://www.virginiamiller.com/artists/Categories.html