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Carlos Manuel Soto

Carlos Soto Obituary

By JO-ANN JOHNSTON, The Tampa Tribune Published: November 7, 2007 YBOR CITY - Carlos Manuel Soto, a Cuban-born painter who sought political refuge in Tampa seven years ago, was found dead Monday at his home. The Tampa Police Department determined the 52-year-old's death was a suicide. Soto began his career in his native country, where he taught art and painting for more than 20 years. But his progress stalled because of Soto's opposition to Fidel Castro. "They the Cuban government fired me from my job as professor of art," Soto said in a 2005 interview with Centro Mi Diario, a Spanish-language weekly published in Tampa by Media General, which also owns The Tampa Tribune. "I couldn't exhibit my work for more than 10 years, so I held exhibits in the homes of my friends." In 2001, Soto and his then-wife, Magaly Soto, immigrated to the United States. They brought along only five of his paintings, she recalled Tuesday, and a passion to continue his work. "He came with a lot of energy and strength," she said. But the artist faced financial hardships - there is no money for a funeral, his family said - and other disappointments. In the 2005 Centro interview, Soto said his new work reflected criticism of American culture. "I want to highlight the excess of materialism, the lack of spirituality, the alienation," he said. Soto also wanted more for the arts world in Tampa, according to his stepson, Carlos Polo. Soto wanted Tampa to be recognized as an arts center. He wanted to see an art school that would educate students regardless of their financial means. He wanted the public to have a greater appreciation of the effort artists put into their work, his stepson said. That was what friend and fellow painter Favio Castan said he admired most about his contemporary. Soto "put his sensitivity on the canvas," Castan said. People still have the chance to experience Soto's work. His paintings are among those featured during Arte 2007, Tampa Bay's Festival of the Americas. Works from artists originally from South and Central America and the Caribbean are on display in 40 venues. One of those locations is Gallery Flight 19 at Tampa Union Station, 601 Nebraska Ave., where curators have gathered works - on exhibit through Nov. 17 - from 16 contemporary Latin American artists. A free public reception is set at the gallery from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by TBO.com from Nov. 7 to Nov. 12, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Carlos Soto

Not sure what to say?





Carol Palacio

October 31, 2008

I was an interpreter for Carlos for a documentary of his life. He welcomed me to his studio, very friendly and inteligent individual. He autographed a card with a beautiful words and I will always cherish that. May you find the rest and peace you deserve. My condolences to Carlos's family.

Brandy Graham

October 14, 2008

It saddens me hear about the loss of your dear loved one. God's promise is that soon death will be brought to nothing (Isaiah 65:8,9).

jessica smith

September 19, 2008

god bless you && kno the only place to go is heaven hell is here on earth

Aldo Suarez pintor

April 18, 2008

Un profundo dolor para su familia y amistades,se ha perdido un gran maestro

Maria Rodriguez y Familia

April 12, 2008

It's the final steps of a journey that create an arrival.
-- Sam Parker

Carlos Manuel Soto you have arrived. Rest now Amigo.

LIZ RIOS

April 4, 2008

ACABO DE SABER DE LA TRISTE PARTIDA DE CARLOS Y ESTOY MUY TRISTE!!CREO QUE ES UNA PENA GRANDE PARA SU FAMILIA, LA SOCIEDAD Y SUS AMISTADES..GRACIAS A DIOS NOS DEJA UN EJEMPLO EXELENTE DE TALENTO CON SUS OBRAS INIGUALABLES DE ARTE..MI CORAZON ESTA TRISTE Y ORO QUE DIOS CONSUELE A SU FAMILIA...PARA MI FUE UN VERDADERO PLACER SER INTERPRETE PARA EL CUANDO TUVO LA EXHIBICION EN ST. PETERSBURG, FL....QUE DESCANSE EN PAZ...

Paula Gardner

November 26, 2007

It has been a sincere pleasure to get to know Carlos and his life story, over the past four years, as my film team has worked on a documentary on asylum, featuring Carlos. His sunny demeanor, infectious laugh and sheer talent stole the hearts of my film team. The world has lost an irreplaceable artist who clearly revealed the depth of struggle involved in the cultural and other transitions that occur with relocation to the US and the asylum process. We have also lost a huge soul, and we are saddened beyond words. The film, named after one of his paintings, Eyes That Don't See, Hearts that Don't Feel, will be a tribute to his amazing life journey. We wish his family strength. Rest in peace, Carlos. Un abrazo, Paula

Janet Blair

November 26, 2007

I hope your family will find comfort in knowing that you have left behind a beautiful legacy in your art work.

JULIA FLORES (COMPAÑERA DE HCC CLASS.)

November 9, 2007

ESPERANDO EN DIOS QUE DONDE QUIERA QUE CARLOS SE ENCUENTRE DESCANSE EN PAZ Y MI MAS SENTIDO PESAME PARA CADA UNO DE SUS FAMILIARES.

marlene cedeño

November 8, 2007

descansa en paz , siempre sera recordado por su arte y su amistad , sinceramente sus compañeros de clase de ingles

Kim

November 8, 2007

May you rest in peace, we love your art works. In our memories, you forever a great artist.

Esther Lutz

November 8, 2007

Carlos,
Hope you find the peace and underestanding you have looking for. Descansa en paz amigo!

Cari Robinette

November 7, 2007

This man's art has touched my life. As a daughter of Cuban immigrants his art will stay with me forever. Que Dios te bendigue ahora y por siempre!

Cari Robinette
Hudson, Fl

francesco

November 7, 2007

He was an insperation to all, his smile would make ones day. His art was my favorite part of him that will leave an everlasting impression on my life and others.
He will be truly missed.

November 6, 2007

Jeff frankly

carlos manuel soto the Master

victor melendez

November 6, 2007

I remember the day that carlos soto came to my gallery.. with william sosa.. It was when I meet him for the first time... year 2001 and hi was hungery for painting and make good art but, carlos was a MASTER!! and very few people ded know... the people that was around carlos all the time they knew, and they love him and they cried for him, dios nos ama a todos por igual I yo se que dios es justo.. mas responsable de nuestra existencia, carlos confio' en dios que el te llevo con el en tus ultias horas aqui en la tierra. lo que hicistes fue tu decision pero lo que el tiene para ti.. es su decision.. en nombre de quienes confiaron en tus talentos y tecnicas.. descansa en paz carlos manuel soto.


victor melendez.

Linda Peery

November 6, 2007

We all look forward to seeing Carlo's paintings in the sky. May he rest in peace.

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results

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