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By Joe Dez, Bochin Chat.
Erich Padilla is a talented Americanborn Latino painter of Puerto Rican
heritage...
a heritage he is very proud of and is reflected in his paintings. The International Latin Music Hall of Fame (ILMHF) is equally proud to have him as their resident artist.
Over the past four years Erich's work has graced and enriched the "Halls" stage as the ILMHF have honored and inducted some of the greatest artist in Latin music.
He is well known for his portraits and depiction of music giants such as Tito Puente, Cachao, Celia Cruz, Chico O'Farrill, Beny More, Chocolate, etc. Erich has a very unique sense of perspective. He paints with his heart and with a unique sense of
rhythm...
the finished product is always on "clave." His work combines cubism, impressionism and realism which produces a piece that is symbolic of the positive Latino experience with
a garden of color that is as rich as it is beautiful. He is very much concerned with the Latino youth here in the United States. Through his work he tries to show his heritage hoping that he can inspire young Latinos to feel a need to embrace and explore all aspects of their heritage.
Erich's love and respect for the great legends of latin music has been a source of inspiration that has compelled him to pay homage to them while they are still alive.
He feels that the young as well as the old, whether or not they have direct ties to the Latin community, should know and be part of this wonderful fabric that has been sewn into the American experience.
Erich describes his exhibits as a journey, which begins with his childhood and continues as an adult. Like music, it is a journey that has no end...it never reaches a final destination yet it always has a platform to express itself. He was raised to be an American first and foremost, but always felt compelled to express that which he felt in his heart and in his soul...his Latin heritage. A heritage that he felt was always dancing to the Latin beat, a heritage that he felt compelled to embrace and to explore.
It was this experience that inspired Erich to pay homage to the great Latin musicians that were part of his upbringing. His paintings have a language all of their own. It speaks in a way that only a paintbrush with the soul of a Latino can express and make you understand.
As you marvel at the richness of his paintings you begin to feel a sense of "cultural"
unity and realize how his paintings is not only a mosaic reflection of Puerto Rican and Cuban culture, but of music and the bridge that it represents in bringing people from all walks of life together. Each piece reflects his personal growth and experience.
As you look at each individual painting you cannot help but see a lot of depth and a sense of oplimism. Erich makes it a point to express and project all that is positive and good in the Latino world.
The Pulitzer Prize author of "The Mambo Kings", Oscar Hijuelos has written,
"His paintings bear out his bi-cultural upbringing, for they are tinged both by a modern jazziness and by a reverence for his roots; they are about an American sensibility that never excludes the rich and beauty of Latin life."
As you look into his paintings you quickly sense and feel the Latino heritage and the love for music that Erich has always cherished. In many ways his paintings are a prism of his experience in America. Filled with all the emotion, hope and dreams of the Latino's voyage to America. Filled with all the emotion, hope and dreams of the Latino's voyage
to America, Eric always remain faithful to the positive aspect of life.
His paintings have appeared in numerous publications, television, colleges, galleries,
etc. His work has also been exhibited at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Delta Blues Museumm. Recently and on behalf of the ILMHF he presented Julio Iglesias with
his portrait. Mr. Iglesias was floored and gracious...he expressed his most heartfelt thanks to the "Hall" and especially to Eric.
The ILMHF applauds Erich Padilla for his dedication and oontribution to our musical landscape.
The "Hall" is working on mounting a major exhibition of this young and very talented artist.
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