La Pulperia Doña Pina
Joel Gaitan

April 11 – May 9, 2021

KDR305 presents its inaugural exhibition, La Pulperia Doña Pina. Featuring a selection of terra-cotta pots by self-taught Nicaraguan-American artist Joel Gaitan. Gaitan immerses himself in traditional hand-building clay techniques while referencing Mesoamerican Art History. Through cultural storytelling, Gaitan explores matters of self-identity, sexuality, and ancestral lineage through his anthropomorphic vessels.

In regions of Nicaragua, a Pulperia is analogous to our corner bodegas. A pulperia is a meeting place, and a vendor for everyday necessities like food and drink for its country people. As homage to his aunt Doña Rufina who runs her local Pulperia in Managua. Gaitan’s works will be presented in true Pulperia fashion, the local “shop” will carry drinks, groceries, other varied goods alongside his clay works.

In “Venus De Managua," Gaitan recreates a Nicaraguan version of the Venus of Willendorf.

“She’s a local city girl who wakes up early to catch the bus, sells quesillos in the streets, and spends the day out in Masaya with her friends. She represents beauty, birth, and Nicaraguan attitude. She could be a “mal hablada” if you get her mad. Buy her flowers and offer her some rum… she might forgive you.”

Joel Gaitan ( b. 1995, Miami, Florida )
Gaitan lives and works in Miami, Florida

KDR305 is a new contemporary exhibition space housed in a 101 yr old cottage in the heart of Little Havana in Miami, FL. The exhibition opens Sunday, April 11, from 4pm-9pm. For images and information please contact katia@kdr305.com