Artist Michael Becker brings one-man show to Gallerie Sparta in West Hollywood January 9 to February 1

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Artist Michael Becker brings culture-rich Cuba into our back yard with his one-man show HAVANA from January 9 to February 1 at Gallerie Sparta in West Hollywood.

Michael and his camera traveled to Havana, Cuba with the Los Angeles Music Center to attend the Ballet Festival in 2010. During an exclusive Havana tour and private audience with the National Ballet of Cuba, Michael was given permission to photograph dancers rehearsing for the ballet festival to be performed before Castro later that week.

"We were a small group of art patrons in Havana there to attend the festival," Michael said. "Americans have a certain perception of the country. It's not very clear and it's mysterious because of that. It's a beautiful city with lovely people and I wanted to capture that in my work."

Michael Becker has made an energetic colorful survey of a mostly dreary world still lost in yesteryear. This show captures a rare glimpse of Havana's exotic side and includes the lively dancers of the famous nightclub Tropicana, a visit to author Ernest Hemingway's home and examples of the neo-baroque architecture style of the buildings. These are bright and colorful images bringing a cheerful view of Havana.

Michael selected fourteen photos to showcase in this exhibition. As part of his inimitable photo styling, he has enlarged each one to 48 by 71 inches and then face mounted them behind acrylic panels. This gives even more life to Michael's vibrant images. Artist's proceeds will support Inner-City Arts.

Since its opening in the summer of 2013, Gallerie Sparta has become a popular International French Gallery representing painting, photography and sculpture.

The gallery is hosting an artist's reception for Michael on January 9 from 6 to 10 p.m. Please RSVP to [email protected].

Gallerie Sparta, at 8641 Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and also by special appointment. There is free parking behind all shops on Sunset Plaza.

More information, 646-228-6171 or www.galleriesparta.com.

Michael is a self-taught photographer who turns his shutterbug sacraments into art through manipulation. He does very little with Photoshop and relies only on cropping, some saturation of color and his artistic flair. Michael has held several exhibitions in the Los Angeles area to both critical and commercial success. To learn more, please visit www.michaelbecker.me.

SOURCE Michael Becker