The Miami Art Blog by Heike Dempster

Ivan Roque’s “Lost in Cinema” is a series of 16 works based on the artist’s characters “Lost” and “Found.” Using collage and painting Roque pays tribute to 20^th century cinema greats such as Al Pacino’s “Scarface,” Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky,” series and the cult classics “King Kong” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Born on December 27^th, 1991 Ivan Jorge Roque, also known as “The Lost Artist,” is a Cuban-American urban artist hailing from the inner city community of Carol City, Florida. Currently a student at the Miami International University of Art & Design, Roque is an emerging urban pop artists to watch. He has been working steadily and has accomplished quite a repertoire at an early age. Roque has participated in a number of group shows, has had a public installation commissioned by the town of Surfside and was chosen for the Pop Up Piano Series during Art Basel Miami Beach 2012.

Roque’s collages present his interpretation of the world. The artist explores morality and questions definitions of right and wrong within the context of contemporary American society. He created the characters “Lost” and “Found” as a representation of the two halves that make up every individual, good and evil, mischief and innocence, rebellious and loyal.

The new works present a move towards a new direction for Roque as he pushes his limits in “Lost in Cinema.” Movies are a source inspiration for the artist and he appreciates the medium’s ability to convey messages. Roque sees film as moving paintings with endless possibilities for interpretation. This association started the idea to merge cinema and fine art into this new series, which will be accompanied by a surprise site specific installation at Nac Gallery.

NacGroup is a global entity that consists of a group of like minded individuals with a shared passion and purpose, who have rejected today's accepted conventional wisdom as it relates to how a gallery should operate. NacGroup offers consulting services, brokering and collection as well as estate representation. Nac Gallery, a division of NacGroup, provides a vehicle for emerging and mid-level career artists to reach their respective audiences in a targeted and effective way. Nac Gallery is a fine art gallery located in the North Beach Arts District of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“Lost in Cinema” runs from May 18^th, 2013 through June 13^th, 2013 at Nac Gallery, 3325 NE 32^nd Street, Fort Lauderdale 33308

VIP Preview: Friday, May 17, 2013. 7-11 pm

Public Opening: Saturday, May 18, 2013, 7-11 pm

For more information on “,” the artist, or upcoming events such as monthly auctions at the gallery visit www.nacgallery.com or call 805.272.5831 or 239.321.9240