Alexi Torres' Images Made Of Woven Leaves, Feathers And Organic Materials (PHOTOS)

Cuban-born artist Alexi Torres wanted to create works that captured the creative powers of the universe as well as the problems facing it.

He grappled with how to express the influences of the past, possibilities of the future and the responsibilities of the now. Torres creates woven canvasses which immortalize influential figures and emblems past and present.

Torres paints leaves, feathers, and other organic materials to create his works, which represent everything from Oprah Winfrey to Pablo Picasso to an unnamed soldier. His works are all-natural, fragile and ephemeral. The woven histories integrate social, military, philosophic and artistic consciousness, illustrating all are made of the same organic stuff of the universe. Torres sees his work as planting an idea and harvesting it; he brings this metaphor to life through starting and finishing each work on the waning moon, as his ancestors did during the harvest.

Check out the diverse cast of inspirational icons past and present:

Comments

[Dianna Love]

06:27 AM on 02/16/2012

I've had the great pleasure of seeing Alexi's art in person several times and think he has an unusual talent like no other. To walk up to these gigantic pieces that have beautiful minute details is breathtaking. He has other art that is created as if made of autumn leaves. His paintings are truly amazing.

[Ganeshani]

12:25 AM on 03/04/2012

Yes, it is clear to me, having not seen his work in person, that these photos don't do it justice. Would love to see them up close.

[smjonz]

08:11 AM on 02/13/2012

His paintings are spectacular. The portraits really capture the person perfectly, except for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I once read that it is extremely difficult to capture his face exactly...don't know why...but this picture seems to bolster the claim.

[artistalexitorres]

12:08 PM on 02/12/2012

I am glad that the method is cleared up. These paintings are huge; 9 feet or more.

Now I am further impressed that this is done by oil on a canvas. Did anyone view the youtube link to see the way he creates this. It shows him working on the Grand Central Terminal. I did researching his name and there are endless blogs on this Cuban artist. I do not clearly see how the writer orginally misled readers. This was not fair to the artist but I am so happy this was cleared up.

[Qreality]

05:03 PM on 02/12/2012

In another comment you identify yourself as the artist of these wonderful works.

The original article stated that you actually wove grasses and leaves to make the portraits not that you painted them. The story has been corrected slightly but it's still not very clear.

Your work is wonderful and I read the article in the Daily Mail which gave your work the exposure it deserves.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2099418/Weave-seen-like-Artist-paints-like-people-knit.html

[Ironjam628]

09:19 AM on 02/13/2012

He seems unsure of his own works and history if it is him.

[Susan1122]

11:44 AM on 02/12/2012

Wow, that is so cool and stunning art.

[ApprxAm]

07:32 AM on 02/12/2012

Beautiful simplicity.

[indigo1]

07:17 AM on 02/12/2012

Awesome!!!

[cat james]

06:07 AM on 02/12/2012

Incredible and gorgeous masterpieces!

[IslamicPacifist]

05:14 AM on 02/12/2012

Wow, those are pretty amazing!

[Andy Williams 1]

02:58 AM on 02/12/2012

That's one fat woman! Who is she?

[Steelsil]

02:38 AM on 02/12/2012

Totally cool!

[jbad]

12:44 AM on 02/12/2012

Don't stare at Oprah too long or you will turn to stone ! Too late.

[UcheJadore]

12:06 AM on 02/12/2012

Amazing!

[Candide33]

10:55 PM on 02/11/2012

How do you weave leaves?

[croje71]

09:14 PM on 02/11/2012

One of my favorite artists!! BRAVO

[Qreality]

08:29 PM on 02/11/2012

This article is mistaken, these are oil paintings. Read the story here for clarity.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2099418/Weave-seen-like-Artist-paints-like-people-knit.html

[typeterson]

09:20 PM on 02/11/2012

good call, i was wondering about that. thx

[Mitch Johnesee]

09:44 PM on 02/11/2012

Thank you - I was curious how these were weaved...

Somehow, being an oil painting makes these even more impressive...