Peruvian painter gives the gift of art to Glen Cove

Revered artist Victor Farfan’s latest exhibit lives in the local library

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Peruvian artist Victor Farfan’s paintings are currently on display in the Glen Cove Library. Many people in Glen Cove are familiar with him because he’s been a resident for the past 40 years. But what they may not know is how he developed his painting style, which was from an unlikely occupation — blueprinting.

Before coming to America, Farfan worked for several architects drafting blueprints for mining engineers. One of these employers brought him to the state capitol in Lima, where he was able to observe the beautiful landscapes of his home country from an artistic point of view.

“After that I started painting,” he said.

His first art exhibition was featured in Mervill Galleries in Lima. It was the positive reviews he received from it that led him to study art and English at SUNY Old Westbury in 1982. His wife, Rosa, joked, that he spent more time in the studio than the classroom.

His works depict city landscapes, modern skyscrapers, and the natural foliage that eclipse each. They are colorful scenes of urban life with subtle strokes of surrounding natural beauty.

His favorite piece in the exhibit demonstrates a blend of his interests. “It’s a collage of everything I like; it has the buildings, but it also has themes of the supernatural and the extraterrestrial,” Farfan said. And, he added, the eye in the center of the painting is enshrouded in an alien U.F.O.

Rosa said there’s a distinct difference between her husband’s art and that of other artists she’s observed. “Other paintings I’ve seen in the library are dark, and not as shiny,” she said. “There’s a difference in the colors he uses.”

Two paintings in the exhibit show Farfan’s interpretations of artwork that he cut out of magazines which showcase an architectural landmark. Two other paintings depict the same location of a seaside mall, but from different angles — one from outside the mall, and one through a window of the mall, which can actually be seen in the first painting.

The local artist is no stranger to having his work appreciated by the people of Glen Cove. In 2005, he donated his painting of Morgan Park to City Hall. Farfan has also donated his artworks to fundraisers at Glen Cove High School.

The artist is aware that he has a unique style and technique, and tries to find it whenever he begins a new painting, but admits he doesn’t know exactly what it is yet. “I’m inspired by others, so what I hope to portray in my art is to inspire people as well,” he said.

Farfan said this exhibit is an opportunity for local kids to develop an appreciation for art. “I have friends who are parents that have kids who like to paint, and I like for them to come to my exhibits because it’s a chance for the kids to see art up close,” he said.

There will be a reception on Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the library’s basement, where Farfan will be available to discuss his work. The exhibit will be on view until the end of November.