Francisco Antigua (La Habana, 1920- 1983)
Sculptor and printmaker. In 1938 he began his studies at San Alejandro School, which temporarily abandons 1942. Continued overcoming self-taught. During this time the subject sees figurative sculptures stylistically influenced by Afro-Cuban and Moore, Maillal and Lipchitz. From 1946 several of his pieces involved in various group exhibitions including the Salon National of Painting. In 1953 he held his first solo exhibition in the spaces of the CTC. Since then takes the abstract language for his work. Re-enters the San Alejandro Academy in 1956 and finally concluded his training in 1959. He ventured into the engraving, woodcut specifically, since 1957, contributing to enrich their artistic production. The revolutionary victory obtained a scholarship for about a year in France. In 1960 he moved to Paris where he received lessons in sculpture at the Grande Chaumiere. Also practice the technique of lost wax in founding Bassato Mario. Journey through Spain and Italy and returned to Cuba in 1961. A year later he moved to Camaguey, where he teaches at the School of Visual Arts. By 1966 makes its second exhibition Timber and glazed terracotta in Havana gallery. Go back to the capital in1972 and she teaches modeling National Art School, until his death. His work has entered a new stage predominantly female nudes. Throughout his artistic career participated in numerous group exhibitions and many of his pieces are awarded in different competitions: The mystic, which received honorable mention in 1956 under the VIII National Painting and Sculpture, and tropical Venus, Acquisition Award at the 1962 Annual Exhibition held at the Palace of Fine Arts among others.

Rene Ávila (La Habana, 1925-1990)
Painter, illustrator and graphic designer. In 1948 he graduated from the San Alejandro School. First exposed in 1952 by the sculptor Agustín Cárdenas in the Workers' Palace. By 1968 exhibits some drawings at the Havana Gallery and the following year in The Ramp Gallery. The Art and Design Department of the Ministry of Education in 1980 welcomes the sample Paintings by Rene Avila. In 1990 he held his last solo exhibition "The Seed" in the Charles Chaplin Film Cultural Center. Between 1962 and 1988 he worked as a designer of credit for films and director of the Institute Animation Department Cuban Art and Industry (ICAIC). Throughout his career participated in numerous group exhibitions. Of those we highlight: Fine Art Gallery Our Time, 1951; contemporary Cuban art. Tribute to Jose Marti, Lyceum of Havana, 1954; Pittura Cubana Oggi, Italo-Latin American Institute, Piazza Marconi, Rome, Italy, 1968, Hall 70, National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, 1970; Exhibition of Small Format. Paintings and Sculptures, Gallery, Havana, 1973, Contemporary Cuban Art, Westbeth Gallery, New York, USA, 1989. In 1974 gets prize and medal in the Second International Painting Biennial of Kosice, Czechoslovakia. Among the countries where he exhibited his works are the United States, Mexico, Chile, Spain and Italy.

José Ignacio Bermúdez (la Habana, 1922- Phoenix, Arizona, Estados Unidos, 1998)
Painter, sculptor, photographer and graphic designer. From 1953 until his death lives in the U.S., exercising diverse professional activities. In Cuba he worked as a graphic designer since 1946. His first personal exhibition exposes José Ignacio Bermude which exposed fourteen oil paintings and drawings, was held at the Lyceum of Havana, on April 1953. His long career thereafter includes a considerable number of solo and group exhibitions. The following are some of the early exhibitions: Oils-collages and drawings by Jose Bermudez, Gallery 4, Detroit, Michigan, United States, 1958 Jose Bermudez. Gress Gallery, Washington, United States, 1960 Jose Bermudez. Drawings, Museum of Fine Arts, Caracas, Venezuela 1967 Sculptures and drawings, Pyramid Gallery. Washington, 1970 Jose Bermudez: Sculptures, drawings, collages, Memorial Union Gallery, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States, 1975 University of Costa Rica, San Jose, 1981; Pictures and frames; Alwun House for the Arts, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 1986 Jobs on paper: three generations. Ramón Alejandro. Graphics Jobs / Jose Ignacio Bermudez. Collages 1987-1988 Susana Sori. Universal Rhythm Drawings. Cuban Museum of Arts and Culture, Miami, Florida, United States, 1989 Jose Ignacio Bermudez, Theatre Arts Center, Guayaquil, Ecuador, 1995 Among the group exhibitions include: - III International Exhibition of Photographic Art, Photography Club of Cuba, Havana, 1949 - III Bienal de Sao Paulo, Museum of Modern Art, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1955 - IV Biennial of Contemporary Color Lithography, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 1956 - Art in Washington, Institute of Contemporary Art, Washington, United States, 1965 - Art in Latin America since independence, traveling exhibition by several U.S. cities, 1966 - First American Biennial of Graphic Arts, Cali, Colombia, 1971 - The paper nudity. Drawing, Museum of Fine Arts, Caracas, Venezuela, 1994 Among the awards he builds his career on is the mural painting event, held in Maryland in 1961 and a second prize at the IX Festival of Arts, of Cali, Colombia, 1969.

Agustín Cárdenas (Matanzas, 1927-La Habana, 2001)
In 1943 he joined the National School of Painting and Sculpture San Alejandro and graduates in 1949. During those years he is linked to the workshops of his teachers: Juan Jose Sucre and Jesus Casagran. In his early work he experiences with volumes from Bernard Reder's formal code. By 1955 he held his first solo exhibition at the Palace of Fine Arts in Havana. That same year he obtained a scholarship to study in Europe and settled in Paris. His first Parisian decades contribute a decisive step in the further development of his art. Direct contact with the work of Henry Moore, Hans Arp and extraordinary admiration for, Constantin Brancusi ,broaden and consolidate his ideoestetico universe: the basalt. A full grown monument of maturity in his work then appear on other materials such as marble and granite. He also forms and achieves a higher purity abstraction. Universally promoted as a surrealist, he held his first solo exhibition in France in 1959, with presentation of Andre Breton, Since then he is invited to participate in international exhibitions of the group. In the 80's decade he resumes and intensifies the use of bronze and the reissued pieces earlier dates. The figurative sculpture is to a more graceful, gifted with a fine humor. During his long career he participates in the most important symposiums part of environmental sculpture and colossal works housed in cities across the world. His name is among the most important exponentsin dissimilar samples of Latin American art in Europe. In 1996 he receives the National Prize of Plastic Arts, along with Rita Longa.

Hugo Consuegra (La Habana, 1929-Estados Unidos, 2003)
Between 1943 and 1947 he attends the School of San Alejandro. Also attends classes in the Institute Of Secondary School and graduated from high school in 1948. From an early age his work participates in various exhibitions and events sometimes rewarded. Such are the case of Honorable Mention in the XXIX Salon Circulo de Bellas Artes in 1947 and achieved a gold medal the following year for his oil Habana Vieja. Along with a group of professional friends hecreates the signature United Architects in 1952. He graduated as an architect in 1955 at the University of Havana. In May 1953, he presents his first solo exhibition at the Lyceum . Among other exhibitions the one held at the in Havana Gallery in 1956 excels . In late 1959 the National Cultural Council granted him a scholarship to study for a year in France. He returned to Cuba and continued dabbling in the field of painting and architecture. He travels to Spain in 1967 where he remained until 1970. Later he moved to the United States until his death. His pieces integrate state and individuals collections. Countless solo and group exhibitions in cities around the world endorse his artistic career. Among the latter we can mention: Cuban Tempos, American Federation of Arts, 1956; Comparaisons, Museum of Modern Art, Paris, 1959, 6 Cuban Painters working in New York, Center for Inter-American Relations, 1975, The Awakening, The Discovery Museum, Bridgeport, USA, in 1990. Fundamentally developped within the abstract tendency, his work has a side trip to mid 60s when he ventures within figuration, specifically pop.

José Antonio Díaz Peláez (La Habana, 1924-1988)
Sculptor and draftsman. During his childhood he lived some time in Spain. Studied only one year (1943-1944) in the Applied Arts Elementary School attached to San Alejandro, so can therefore is defined as a self-taught artist. Considered one of the Cuban sculptors with longest distinguished history, beginning in exhibitions in the first half of the 40's. His first personal exhibition takes place, together with fellow sculptor Tomas Oliva, in the Rooms of Kiko's Bar in Havana in September 1953, mainly developed of the abstract tendency, his work does not include his interest in figurative sculpture. He works in the use of dissimilar materials such as wood, metal, stone, cement, plaster and cardboard directly, working in small and large format. Several of his pieces are linked in public places. Between 1966 and 1985 he develops a steady job as a professor at the Provincial School of Fine Arts San Alejandro. His vast artistic career includes more than fifty exhibitions, personal and collective, and numerous awards among which stands the figure for the annual Salon of Painting, Sculpture and Engraving, 1959.

Fayad Jamis (Zacatecas, México, 1930- La Habana, 1988)
Painter, poet and illustrator. His parents emigrated to Cuba in 1935. After a year in the capital begins a long journey to different cities and towns of the country. In 1943 he settled in Guayos. There Jamis starts writing and drawing regularly. Six years later he released his first book titled "Brujula". Between 1947 and 1948 he displayed a collection of pen drawings with colonial issues. A year later moves to Havana and enters the San Alejandro School; economic difficulties forced him to leave school in 1952. By that time he has friendships with the poets of the generation of the 50's. He then collaborates with the magazine "Origenes". In 1954 he traveled to France where he remained for five years. In Paris he attends high school studies at Sorbana, he then exposed along with the sculptor Agustin Cardenas in the surrealist art gallery L'Etoile Scellec, and wrote one of his most important poems, The Bridges. He returned to Cuba in March of 1959 and has multiple roles.

Guido Llinas (Pinar del Rió, 1923)
Painter and printmaker. Information basically self-taught. His first contact with the painting occur when studying at the Normal School for Teachers, profession which he practices in several schools in Pinar del Rio, Artemis and Havana between 1942 and 1957. The few months that he attended as a student at the School of Visual Arts in his hometown listed as single academic training received in his career. By the mid-40s he got installed in Havana and contacted critics and artists. These relationships along with multiple visits to exhibitions allow a narrow approach to the pictorial work of the time,completing training. He then traveled to the United States where he appreciates the work of the Abstract Expressionists and feels a particular interest in the work of Kline, Motherwell De Kooning. In 1952 he exposed along with Fayad Jamis, and Antonio and Antonia Eiriz Manuel Vidal in the halls of the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba. His first personal exhibition takes place a year later in Mat gallery, coincidentally along with his undergraduate education in pedagogy at the University of Havana. Between 1957 and 1959 he lives and paints in Paris. This stay in Europe allows him to know the main museums of Italy, Spain, England and Germany. In 1960, the Cuban government granted him a scholarship to study in France. He then returned to Paris and worked in the atelier Hayter etching. Among University of Havana. Resides permanently in Paris as of1963. There he worked several years at the Denise Rene Galerie, global developer of optical and kinetic art. Delaunay contacts, Vasarely, Arp and becomes friends with Latin American artists like Le Parc, Cruz, Tomasello and Soto. Llinas develops an extensive career and his work is appreciated in various cities worldwide. Rising part of his production within the murals are made and deployed in public places and private residences in Cuba. He has also dabbled in illustration.

Raúl Martines (Ciego de Ávila, 1927- La Habana, 1995)
Painter, draftsman, printmaker, photographer and graphic designer. Attends the Elementary Visual Arts school annex to the National School of Fine Arts San Alejandro in 1941 and finished his studies in 1943. By 1946 enrollment at San Alejandro, center leaving two years later for financial reasons. By the time he made his first solo exhibition in the lobby of the theater disappeared Adad. In 1952 requested and accepted a scholarship at the Institute of Design of Chicago in the United States, founded by Moholy-Nagy. In 1963, participates in the Abstract Expressionism held shows in Havana Gallery. The following year, exhibits Tributes, where it begins to get rid of Abstract Expressionism and began his foray into pop through collage. Since 1966 began working Marti iconography, combining elements of pop and folk painting. Participate in Hall 70 with its large oil Island 70. Numerous solo and group exhibitions showing: The first major retrospective of his work. Get over dissimilar career awards and in 1995 the National Arts Award in its first edition.

Tomas Oliva (La Habana, 1930- Estados Unidos, 1996)
Sculptor, printmaker, draftsman and Stage Designer. Between 1945 and 1952, studied in San Alejandro. Among other artistic formations may be mentioned the Royal College of Ceramics Monclova, Madrid, in 1953 and the School of ceramic mosaics of Ravenna and Chores with Professor Gino Severino, Italy, 1954. In 1960 receives graphic design classes with Professor Ladislav Vihodill. Also exhibited by the sculptor José Antonio Díaz Peláez in the Room of Kiko's bar in Havana in 1953. The next year he made another exhibition at the Gallery Clam Madrid, Spain in 1957 and joined the painter Guido Llinas at the Lyceum, an experience repeated in 1962. In 1963 he exhibits in the Havana Gallery and in 1964 presented his sculptures and drawings at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Among other personal samples are: Tomas Oliva: sculptor Ana Sklar Gallery, Bay Harbor Islands, Florida. 1982 Lanvin New Work Gallery, Miami, Florida, 1983 and Tomas Oliva: sculptor, Cuban Museum of Arts and Culture, Miami, Florida, 1988. Also participated in numerous group exhibitions. From them we can mention: 15 young painters and sculptors, Our Time gallery, 1953, 8 Painters and Sculptors, National Museum of Fine Arts, 1961 May Salon, 1968. His work was recognized on many occasions, these acknowledgments excels reached first two editions of the National Sculpture Prize, held at the National Museum of Fine Arts, National Sculpture Prize, "Silver Dove", Newspaper Revolution Honorable Mention in 1960 and on 24 May Salon, Museum of Modern Art, Paris, France. Similarly many of his works were stationed at various public places: National Theatre, Department of Transportation, Coppelia Ice Cream, House of Culture of Cuba in Prague Zoo. Among his professional experience stands out among its sustained work activities as a professor at the National School of Art and the School of Architecture at the University of Havana. In the period of 1964-1969 serves as director of the National Arts Council of Culture.

Antonio Vidal (La Habana, 1928)
Painter, printmaker, sculptor, illustrator and designer. He studied at the Academy Villate. First exposed in 1952 alongside artists like Guido Llinas, Fayad Jamis, Antonia Eiriz and Manuel Vidal, in the halls of the CTC. However, it was not until the mid-50s that he defined his signature style. The expressive possibilities to provide him his approach to abstraction in all its variants-expressionism, informality and blasting, among others, show a spirit of constant renewal. His already very intense artistic career spans a number of solo exhibitions: Antonio Vidal. Inks in Havana Gallery in 1967; Antonio Vidal. Cuban painter, at the Regional Museum of Guadalajara, Mexico, 1985, Antonio Vidal. Paintings, La Acacia Gallery, 1991 and Antonio Vidal: 40 years in the plastic Galiano Gallery in 1993. Among the group are: Abstract Cuban sardius gallery, Caracas, Venezuela in 1957, Art Cinema, Gallery La Rampa to the next year, 8 Painters and sculptors at the Palace of Fine Arts in 1961 and in 1963 the gallery Abstract Expressionism in Havana . In the 60's he is involved in the founding of the Taller Experimental de Grafica and developing a substantial body of work within the lithographic technique. Runs pieces for public places such as the emplaced mosaic murals in the theater Ascuence Manuel Domenech of Liberty City and the department store La Epoca. He began as a professor of painting at the National Art School in the 70s, work that he continues to exercise for two decades. In the 80's ventures into sculpture, considered from the aesthetic point of view as an extension of their papers or canvas. In 1999 he received the National Prize of Plastic Arts. For this reason, the Center Wifredo Lam Contemporary Art exhibits, in mid-2000, the exhibition Antonio Vidal. His point of view.

Viredo Espinosa (Regla, La Habana, 1928)
In 1940 his family moved from Regla to Havana. His initial training in art he got at the “Escuela Superior”. He works for a newspaper, owned by a friend of his father, and learned to work on some design and commercial illustrations. To fulfill his father's wish to become a lawyer, attended for two years at Secondary School, but his passion for art led him to join the San Alejandro School to mid 40s. His art studies are complemented by the architectural drawing at the School of Arts and Craft. In 1948 he abandoned his academic training at San Alejandro and achieved his first artistic success in the Book Fair, sponsored by the Ministry of Education. Organized in 1950, the First Hall of the Rejected at Circulo de Bellas Artes. In 1952 the Company set forth in our time in the shows 15 young painters and sculptors. His murals are a stable financial support. One of the most important committees in this regard is the work for the Embassy Club between 1954 and 1955. The political situation in the country from 1956 makes him a brief silence while discreetly continued dabbling in illustration and commercial design. In 1959 out in the School of Art Cubanacan. Ten years later he traveled to America and settled permanently in California, first in Los Angeles, and since 1975 in Orange County. By 1977 he again devoted himself to painting. Traditionally his work has been debated between abstraction and figuration, with traits of Abstract Expressionism as well as geometric elements of cubism. In recent times his works recreated the social environment in which it is born and lives for over ten years. This dedication to art has been recognized on multiple occasions.


Elsa Vega Dopico
Uno, Dos, Tres... ¡ONCE!
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes - 2003




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