Oceania’s Riviera showcases contemporary Latin art

The collection is a nod to the Cuban heritage of Frank Del Rio, the line’s founder and chairman and ceo of parent company Prestige Cruise Holdings. Del Rio, who played almost a curator’s role in the selection, said ‘every inch of the ship was designed to showcase paintings, glassworks and sculpture that will spark conversation and contemplation among our guests.’

The collection includes original and highly expressive works by renowned artists from Cuba’s Vanguard Movement, from 1927 to 1950. During this period artists such as Wifredo Lam, Cundo Bermudez, René Portocarrero and Servando Cabrera were celebrated with exhibitions at New York’s Museum of Modern Art and in private galleries in New York and abroad.

These works are displayed side-by-side with contemporary Cuban artists including Julio Larraz, Carlos Luna, Humberto Benitez, Manuel Mendive and José Grillo. Works by French painter Pierre Boncompain, Mexican painter Luis Zesatti, Peruvian artist Daniela Wicki and Catalonian master, Eduardo Arranz-Bravo, are also featured.

The art will be prominently featured throughout the ship, but also ‘tucked in the most unexpected places to promote a sense of discovery,’ Del Rio said.

He commissioned José Grillo to create a painting inspired by the title, ‘Yellow Submarine,’ which will be displayed outside Jacques restaurant. ‘El Caretas,’ another Grillo work, occupies a prominent place by the reception desk. Carlos Luna has several paintings throughout Riviera, including ‘Lovers’ at the entrance to the Riviera Lounge.

Renowned Miami artist Humberto Benitez was commissioned for several pieces in Horizons Lounge and for his sentinel piece, ‘The Feast,’ hanging in La Reserve, the ship’s über gourmet dining venue.

As with sister ship Marina, the centerpiece of Riviera is a Lalique Grand Staircase designed by the famous French artists of crystal and jewely.