cuban emerging art

CUBAN EMERGING ART
YOUNG, EMERGING CUBAN ARTISTS: A BRIEF HISTORY
INTRODUCTION/HISTORY:
Cuba today is in a moment of slow, but radical change – both politically and
socially. Increasingly, however, there has been a visible, marked,shift in the work of young artists – away from the
styles and themes of the 80´s and 90´s (social change, racial and ideological issues etc.). Today we are witnessing
much more variety; more subtlety, less aggression, much less concern about social/political issues: something
more cosmopolitan, perhaps. Some artists – fewer –do focus on their history; playing with known images and
symbols, or on present social concerns. But, more generally, today´s young, emerging artists (fine arts/video)
appear to be far more concerned with the use of colour, composition and materials, and in expressing a myriad of
themes.
Here, I have selected 19 of 30 fine (and video) artists with whom I am presently collaborating. Examples of their
varied and exciting work – along with brief profiles – can be found below.
THE ARTISTS:
Almost all artists with whom I collaborate have studied formally – both in the prestigious San
Alejandro School (Havana) and in the Institute Superior de Arte. Their work has been chosen for its quality,
beauty, uniqueness and innovation. There is a clear lack of representation from artists of colour which is hopefully
changing but, as yet, reflects the unfortunate differences regarding race, social class, expectation and priorities.
Contrasted with this, and reflected in my selection, there has been a gender shift: more women are entering and
graduating from art schools than before.
ELIZABETH POZO: Elizabeth Pozo is a young curator who - since 2009 - has focused her work solely
on contemporary art and emerging artists. Graduated in Art History she has studied changing trends in
the work of these young, Cuban artists and, being of their generation, occupies a unique position. She
has already curated several collective and personal exhibitions. Elizabeth also dedicates time to write
and to publish her critical work in various Cuban arts magazines such as Artecubano and Noticias de Arte
Cubano.
EMERGING ARTISTS TOUR
How we work: Each tour will begin with a brief introduction to the emerging, contemporary Cuban
art scene*. Elizabeth will then introduce you to some of the most talented and remarkable young artists
working on the island today. We will visit each artist in their home/studio where you will have the
opportunity to view their work and talk personally to each one. The artists may be chosen from the
portfolio - by you or your agency - according to your particular tasteand preference. In all cases the
artist will give an explanation or a small talk about his/herown work and there will be ample time to ask
any questions.
(*This information will be available in either digital or paper form for the client to take away.)
MORNING/AFTERNOON TOUR: 3 HOURS (10am – 1pm or 2-5pm)
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9:30Pick up Elizabeth
10-10:20BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMP ART, AND SELECTED ARTISTS, AT CLIENTS
CASA/HOTEL
10.20-40TRAVEL TO ARTIST 1(approx. – depending on location)
10.40-11.10WITH ARTIST 1
11:10-11:30TRAVEL TO ARTIST 2
11:30-12:10WITH ARTIST 2
12:10-12:30TRAVEL TO ARTIST 3
12:30-1pmWITHARTIST 3
1pm RETURN CLIENTS TO DESTINATION/ELIZABETH BACK HOME
PORTFOLIO
Mabel Poblet
Beneath the sophisticated look
that is reminiscent of pop art –
using explosive contrasts and
brilliant (red) colour - Mabel
Poblet mainly explores intimate
themes of childhood and gender.
The subject is always her own
body and her expression of these
themes is often quite visceral,
even harrowing. Tri-dimensional
structures and sculptured objects
- using nails, medicine bottles and
other every-day objects - appear
frequently in the work of this
exciting young artist.
MABEL POBLET PUJOL (1986-)
EDUCATION
2012 University of theArts (ISA), Havana
2007 NationalAcademyof Fine Arts “SAN ALEJANDRO” (Título de Oro)
2008 Taller Arte de Conducta. Tania Bruguera
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
2012 Reunificación Familiar. Colateral a la Oncena Bienal de la Habana. Morro-Cabaña. La Habana
Hoy mi voz tiene sonido. Galería Villa Manuela. La Habana, Cuba
2011 De tus ojos la sal. Galería Nuno Sacramento. Portugal
Recent Works.The Cuban Art Space.Center for Cuban Studies. New York.
PORTFOLIO
Harold López
Fragments of urban landscape
appear as background frames
for individuals - the city
dweller - in the paintings of
Harold Lopez. The work of this
young artist appears as if
offering a snapshot of
contemporary life and people
–
eccentric,
offbeat,
underground. Harold´s use of
color – strong /electric – along
with his subjects and the
environment in which they are
placed – give his paintings a
seductive, edgy feel and look.
HAROLD LÓPEZ MUÑOZ (1977-)
EDUCATION
1998
National Academy of Fine Arts San Alejandro, Cuba
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
2013
2012
2010
2009
The Facebook. Galería RAC. Veracruz. Mexico
Relaciones. Galería Espacio Abierto. Revista Revolución y Cultura
Harold López. Atelierhaus Westfalenhute. Dortmund. Alemania.
Inventario .Fundación Ludwig de Cuba.
Tiem(pos) Modernos. Galería Ramón Alva. Veracruz. México.
Primer Impacto. Centro Cultural “La Plasita”. Reus. España
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2014
Select Fair NYC. New York. USA
Absolut Kuba! Carriage Barn Arts Center.Connecticut. USA.
2012-2013 Bola Viva. Pintura cubana de hoy. Barranquilla, Cartagena, Santa
Marta, Montería, Bogotá. Colombia.
PORTFOLIO
CamilaGarcía
How to deal with being a young woman, ones
sexuality, conditioning and the family are the most
common themes explored by video artist, Camila
García. This emerging artist uses the video to narrate
her personal world in a very poetic, almost cinematic
style - using symbols (nuns, flowers, personal
belongings) to construct short, abstract, personal
stories.
CAMILA GARCÍA (1989-)
EDUCATION
2013 University of Arts (ISA), Havana
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2012 SenseLAB, Facultad de Artes y Letras de la Universidad de
la Habana, Cuba.
Layers, ISA, 11na Bienal de la Habana, Cuba.
11na Muestra Joven ICAIC, La Habana, Cuba.
2011 IVFestival Internacional de Videoarte de Camagüey, Cuba.
Cuba Post, Feria Odeón de Arte Contemporáneo, Bogotá,
Colombia.
SenseLAB III, Galería E105, Bonn, Alemania.
2010 MADE IN CUBA, Galería Kurfürstliches Gärtnerhaus, Bonn,
Alemania.
PORTFOLIO
José Manuel Mesías
José Manuel is an artist who constantly
demonstrates his very varied and
eclectic personal interests, often
producing large format pieces and
mixing realism/classical styles. He has
used as inspiration his own domestic
environment - family and neighbors often in nostalgic and melancholic
ways. The artist is presently more
focussed on Cuban history - examining
particular heroes of the Wars of
Independence (1868-95) and
establishing
a
very
personal
interpretation of the characters and
their lives.
JOSÉ MANUEL MESÍAS, 1990
EDUCATION
2005-2009 National Academy of Fine
Arts San Alejandro, Cuba
2008 2009 Taller de Reparaciones, Prof.
Humberto
Díaz,
San
Alejandro,Cuba
200 2008 Proyecto de Intercambio CubaU.K. “Solidarity in Art”. Londres,
England, Cuba
2007 Taller de Creación, Prof. Lázaro
Saavedra, San Alejandro, Cuba
2013 TRIP Proyecto de intercambio
ISA-Universidad de los Andes
Colombia (ISA), Cuba.
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
2012 El origen de la simetría (CPAPD
Luz y Oficios), La Habana
2009 Cinco-10 Bienal
de La
Habana,San
Alejandro,La
Habana/2009
Días
de
demonios, San Alejandro, La
Habana.
PORTFOLIO
Javier Castro
.
This emerging Cuban artist is
what might be called an
authentic reporter. Through
the still, and moving, camera
lens Javier Castro observes
the daily life of his
neighborhood:Old Havana.
There he exams behavior,
dress,
street
language/communication;
particular ways of life that
belong to more marginalised
individuals.
JAVIER CASTRO RIVERA, 1984
EDUCATION
2008 University of Arts
2006 Cátedra de Arte Conducta
2003 Academy of Fine Arts San
Alejandro
PORTFOLIO
Darwin Estacio
Brilliant and strongly
contrasting
colors
characterize the visual
style of young painter,
DarwinEstacio.
He
appears to inhabit a
world of characters
reminiscent of
US
magazines/ advertising
of the 1960´s, showing
only fragments of his
subject: a gesture, a
torso,
two
hands
joined, etc. In this way
his work feels very
open to interpretation
as he narrates and
proposeshis
own
stories.
DARWIN ESTACIO
MARTÍNEZ, 1982
2007- Profesor of
National Academy
of Fine Arts San
Alejandro and ISA
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
2009 Inventario.
Fundación Ludwig
de Cuba
Nada menos que
pintura. Galería
Carmelo González,
Casa de cultura de
Plaza, C. Habana
2007De Granada a
laHabana. Galería
de La
Madriguera,AHS. La
Habana.
2006 Liberaciones. Sala
Electa Arenal,
Centro de Arte,
Holguín.
PORTFOLIO
Mari Claudia García
The work of Mari Claudiais strongly related to the
exploration of universal themes: happiness,
unhappiness, loneliness, destiny and the search for
´´success´´, for example. This young female artist
uses various mediassuch as video and sculptured
objects (keys, other made objects), always
including text – common phrases and words - as
part of her work. In this way the artist strives to
express her particular understanding of human
conflicts, dreams and expectations.
MARI CLAUDIA GARCÍA, 1989
EDUCATION
2013
2008
University of the Arts(ISA), Havana. La Habana,
Cuba.
Academia de Bellas Artes San Alejandro, Cuba
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2013 Festival Internacional de Videoarte de Camagüey.
Camagüey, Cuba.
2012 Layers. Proyecto “Lo inédito viable”, XI Bienal de
La Habana. ISA. La Habana, Cuba. Exposición del
taller de intercambio Senselab. Facultad de Artes
y Letras,Universidad de La Habana. Cuba.
Muestra del “Proyecto Carretilla” en RieraStudio,
realizado durante la XI Bienal de La Habana. Cuba
Exposición inaugural de la Galería Avistamientos. La Habana, Cuba
PORTFOLIO
VictorPiverno
Music is the world of Victor Piverno. This
talented and unusual young artist recently
graduated from Havana´s Institute of Art
(2014) and is presently making musical
instruments – using metal, steel, plastic which have especially flowing shapes and
pleasing compositions. He creates in a
very particular manner: first making his
sculptured pieces and then discovering
what sounds they produce. Once finished,
he encourages the public to ´´play´´ these
´´instruments´´ and to create their own
soundscapes.
Victor Piverno Barrios, 1989
EDUCATION
2014 University of arts
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2012 11na Bienal of Havana
Trienal Offside effect, Giorgia.
2011 Balada Tropical, ISA
2010 Cuarta pragmática
PORTFOLIO
Nelson Jalil Sardiñas
The work of Nelson Jalil uses a mix of
inspiration: mainly of people and objects
from his every-day life. His mediums range
from painting and made objects to drawing,
photography and video. His style evokes
American painting of the 1970´s/80´s: a
mixture of hyper-realism and expressionism.
His subjects often appear isolated and still;
grainy and somewhat forlorn, yet lyrical –
and clearly steering away from any critical
intention; from any reference to social or
political contexts.
NELSON JALIL SARDIÑAS, 1984
EDUCATION
2004-2009 University of Arts (ISA)
1999-2003 Professional Academy of Fine Art,
Camagüey
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
2013
Un minuto frente al horizonte, IOS Art
Space, Cancún, México.
2012
La grieta en la piscina, Galería Fidelio
Ponce de León, Camagüey, Cuba
2009
Fuga, Fundación Ludwig, La Habana
Proyecto
Inventario, Fundación
Ludwig, La Habana
2006
If you can´t be rich be famous (bipersonal), Galería Salvador Cisneros,
Camagüey, Cuba.
PORTFOLIO
Miguel Alejandro Machado Suárez
Miguel (24) is still studying – now
in his final study year at Havana´s
Art Institute of Art – but is
already making waves, and
selling extremely well, both
inside Cuba and abroad. His work
varies greatly – from a kind of
neo-Baroque and Expresionism
to a mix of Hyper-Realism and
Post-Impresionism; very original
in the Cuban context. The artist
researches intensively, always
starts by writing down a short,
self-penned, story then begins to
express this in various ways in his
painting. His work is strongly
contemporary but also gives the
constant
sense
of
being
powerfully connected to older
styles. Miguel has recently
completed a 3 month Residence
in Vermont, USA.
MIGUEL ALEJANDRO MACHADO, 1990
EDUCATION
2015
2008
5thyear University ofArts [ISA],
Havana
Professional Academy of Fine Arts
Eduardo Abela
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
2015
2014
Un Don Juan galería Carmelo,
Havana.
Gorrión, Casa de México, OHC,
Havana.
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2014
2013
2012
Campo de fresas por siempre.
HavanaUniversity.
160 Pabellón Cuba, Havana.
SeeClea, XI Havana Bienal. ISA
ART RESIDENCE
2014 Vermont Studio Center, USA.
PORTFOLIO
Lester Álvarez Meno
LESTER ÁLVAREZ MENO, 1984
EDUCATION
2006-2011 University of Arts (ISA), Havana
2000-2004 Professional Acadamy of Fine Arts,
Camagüey, Cuba
ART RESIDENCES
2012 -2013 TengoFrío Artist Group, UK.
2011
Comuna de Padru, Cerdeña,
2010
Glasgow Art School, Escocia
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
2013
2011
Viaje a Cuba de Thomas Merton, Luz y
Oficios, La Habana
Figulina, ISA
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2013
2013
2012
2011
La Parte Maldita, Norweegian
CubanEmbassy, Havana
Flujos e Influencias, Santa Bárbara de
Estocolmo, Suecia
Heavy &Happy painters, La Cabaña, XI
Havana Bienal
Isole, PadruCulturalCenter, Cerdeña.
Lester Álvarez is a young artist (30) who uses
different
mediums
(painting,
video,
photography), habitually repeating the same
symbols/motif in a particular series of work.
Peaceful and almost mystical, his work often
inspired by literature and cinema, this
repetition - ´´canvas as wallpaper´´ - creates
meaning; his symbols representing, for
instance,
happiness, religious irony,
mythology etc. His figures or objects are
often solitary and very small; their size and
aloneness notable inside the bigger canvas.
PORTFOLIO
Lisandra Isabel García
Lisandra (26) is a young artist who often uses
photography and painting in work. More recently her
experiments with glass have, however, made her work
even more outstanding within the panorama of Cuban
emerging art. Lisandra engraves, using lights (and
therefore shadows) when the work is exhibited. Her
glass work may be found placed on floors, ceiling or
walls, even creating whole-glass walls. In this way she
represents her everyday life, its intimacy and her
deepest feelings about her personality and identity.
LISANDRA ISABEL GARCÍALÓPEZ, 1988
EDUCATION
2013
University of The Arts (ISA), Cuba.
2008
National Academy of Fine Art San Alejandro. Cuba
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
2014
Cristal Blando, Villa Manuela
2012 “Autorretrato de la artista adolescente” CMBF, Cuba
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2012
SenseLAB, 11na Bienal de La Habana. /“Un olor que
entra por mi ventana: Havana Cultura”. 11na Bienal de
La Habana.
PORTFOLIO
Luis Enrique
The work of Enrique López (27) is the
result of an intellectual as well as artistic
process. Narrative, but abstract and
cinemagraphic, he attempts to represent
what is out of sight or unsaid. Using visual
items such as floors or bubbles, for
example, which belong to the physical
environment of his everyday life, he often
uses a wide, intense, colour palette and
works in very large format which includes
a repetition of smaller detail.
LUIS ENRIQUE LÓPEZ-CHÁVEZ POLLÁN, 1988
EDUCATION
2013 University of arts (ISA)
2012 The Royal Institute of Art. Stockholm, Sweden
2007 Professional Academy of Fine Art Carlos Enríquez.
Manzanillo, Cuba
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
2013 Fuera de campo, Centro de Desarrollo de las Artes
Visuales. La Habana
2011 Abertura. Fundación Ludwig de Cuba, La Habana/
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2013 The silent shout: Voices in cuban abstraction. Art
Space/Virginia Miller Galleries. Miami, USA
2013 La parte maldita. Embajada de Noruega en Cuba. La
Habana
2013 Abierto. Galería Luz y Oficio. La Habana.
PORTFOLIO
Gabriela Reyna López
Make up, tea bags, fabric, quite often becomes the
materials that Gabriela Reyna uses in her works.
With them, this emergent Cuban artist constructs
sculptured objects, dresses, installations, or
paintings. As they make references to the female
world this young artist utilizes them to explore her
feelings as a woman and to create her own version
of the reality -or the Art History, for example- .
GABRIELA REYNA LÓPEZ, 1991
EDUCATION
2015 4th year University of Arts, Havana
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
2012 Inventario # 150 Fundación Ludwing de Cuba, La
Habana
2011
Ludis Sede de la Asociación Hermanos Saiz.
Granma
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2013 “F5” Centro de Desarrollo de Las Artes Visuales,
La Habana, Cuba
2012
“Zoom”, ISA Universidad de las Artes.11na
Bienal de La Habana, Cuba.
PORTFOLIO
Osvaldo González Aguiar
The work of Osvaldo González
is mainly focused on interior
spaces. His paintings are often
brightly coloured, multi-angled
perspectives; rooms full of
furniture, windows, objectsfigurative, yet abstract. Other
installations (left) are light
boxes which recreate - using
recycled materials - such
things as fans, fireplaces or
flower vases etc. An exciting
artist with a recurrent theme
but stylistically diverse.
OSVALDO GONZÁLEZ AGUIAR 1982
EDUCATION
2006
University of Arts, Havana
2000
Professional Academy of Fine Arts, Camagüey
PERSONALS EXHIBITIONS
2012
Una escena doméstica. Cine 23 y 12, 11na Bienal de La Habana, C. Habana/
2010
Temas Aislados. Galería Luz y Suárez del Villar, Madrid
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2012
Reeditus II. Raymaluz Gallery. Madrid/
Galería 79. 11na Bienal de La Habana
2011
Lifestyle. Galería Luz y Suárez del Villar. Madrid
2010
El extremode la bala. Una década de arte cubano. Pabellón Cuba, La Habana
Open Dreams. Buena Vista Building. Miami DesignDistrict. FL.
PORTFOLIO
Greta Reyna
The materials chosen by this young artist,
Greta Reyna, take centre-stage in her work:
materials such as resin, wood chips, seeds
and stones. Through these materials she
explores various themes such as the family
and nature – also examining her own life
through photography(above) and small
sketches. Using the same themes, Reyna is
also experimenting with more abstract
painting.
GRETA REYNA LÓPEZ, 1991
EDUCATION
2015 4th year University of Arts, Havana
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
2011
Ludis, Asociación Hermanos Saiz.
Manzanillo, Granma
COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2013 F5 Centro de Desarrollo de Las Artes
Visuales, La Habana
2012
Zoom, ISA Universidad de las
Artes.11na Bienal de La Habana,
Cuba.
2011 Sumatoria Centro de Desarrollo de las
Artes Visuales. La Habana, Cuba
2010 “Samo” (Homenaje a Jean Michel
Basqueat) Academia San Alejandro.
La Habana.
PORTFOLIO
Marco Arturo Herrera Orbe
Marco Arturo graduated from the prestigious San
Alejandro Academy of Fine Arts (Havana) in 2011.
His work –an expressionist, pop-art style -is normally
large-format, spacious and brightly coloured. The
family, neighbors and people close to him are the
subjects of his paintings; often whimsical and
satirical, and particularly questioning male roles and
stereotypes. His paintings – although often
expressing solitude, melancholy and struggle - are
moving and beautiful.
MARCO ARTURO HERRERA ORBE, 1991
EDUCATION:
2011 National Academy of Fine Art San Alejandro, Cuba
2010 Taller de Rocío García: Los nuevos fieras artista
PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS
2013 Estudio, Trabajo y condón, Galería Luz y Oficios, La
Habana
2011 Inventario 111. Fundación Ludwing de Cuba,
COLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS
2013 2do Salón de Expresionismo Antonia Eiriz, Casa
Antonia Eiriz. La Habana
PORTFOLIO
Pablo Rosendo Machín
Pablo Rosendo is recently graduated from Havana´s
prestigious art school but has a very bright future.
He uses various mediums – such as photography,
painting and video – attempting to connect his own
life directly with nature. He has also taken disused
public spaces - such as an old, derelict cinema - and
abstractly(and beautifully) recreated its original
function. More recently he has experimented with
old, empty CD covers; compressing - inside the
back, plastic section – striking, abstract designsin
coloured plastercine.
PABLO ROSENDO MACHÍN, 1989
EDUCATION
2014 University of Arts (ISA)
2009 Escuela Provincial de Artes Plásticas Eduardo Abela
COLLECTIVES EXHIBITIONS
2012 SEE CLEAR 11 Bienal de la Habana, ISA
Exposición colectiva de pintura en la galería del ISA
2010 a río revuelto, Cúpula de murales en el ISA