Los Once “The Eleven”

The members of “Los Once” were a pioneering group in Cuban modern art, combining influences from European modernism with their own Cuban context. They were part of a broader movement in Cuban art that sought to break away from academic traditions and create new, dynamic forms of expression. Their work embraced abstraction, minimalism, and geometric experimentation, which aligned with global art trends but also represented a unique Cuban perspective on modernity.

The group’s name, “Los Once”, was coin by the art critic “Texidor” after an exhibition were only eleven artist turn in their works.

Their work was influential in shaping the direction of Cuban visual arts in the 20th century.

This group was known for its modernist and avant-garde approach, breaking away from traditional Cuban art styles.

Here are the members of “Los Once”:

1. Guido Llinás (1931–2017)
Llinás was a Cuban painter and graphic artist known for his abstract and geometric works. He was heavily influenced by European modernism, particularly by the Bauhaus movement and abstract expressionism. His works often explored color, form, and space in new and innovative ways.
Notable work: “Composition in Black and White”

2. Hugo Consuegra (1934–2017)
Consuegra was a Cuban artist who combined geometric abstraction with surrealist influences. His works are known for their dynamic forms, vivid colors, and often evoke a sense of movement. He experimented with different mediums, including painting, sculpture, and collage.
Notable work: “El Hombre y el Universo” (The Man and the Universe)

3. René Ávila (1923–2008)
René Ávila was known for his abstract, minimalist works. His approach was focused on the purity of form, color, and texture, often leaving out any figurative or representational elements. He sought to explore the relationship between form and space.
Notable work: “Construcción No. 6” (Construction No. 6)

4. Antonio Vidal (1924–2007)
Antonio Vidal was a sculptor and painter who explored abstraction in his works. He was particularly interested in the relationship between space, light, and volume. His work often incorporated elements of cubism and surrealism, and he was instrumental in promoting modern sculpture in Cuba.
Notable work: “Escultura Abstracta” (Abstract Sculpture)

5. Fayad Jamis (1923–1988)
Fayad Jamis was a prominent Cuban painter and visual artist. His works often drew from African, Caribbean, and Cuban influences, blending modernism with themes of identity, folklore, and culture. He was also an important figure in Cuba’s post-revolutionary art scene.
Notable work: “La Danza del Tambor” (The Dance of the Drum)

6. Tomás Oliva (1931–2016)
Oliva was known for his unique approach to abstraction, often incorporating vibrant colors and geometric shapes in his works. His focus was on visual rhythm and harmony, and his art was a mix of modernist movements with a distinctive Cuban perspective.
Notable work: “Composición en Rojo” (Composition in Red)

7. Agustín Cárdenas (1927–2001)
Cárdenas was a sculptor known for his modernist sculptures that often blended organic forms with geometric elements. His work had a strong connection to Afro-Cuban culture, and he explored themes of identity, mythology, and spirituality through his art.
Notable work: “La Mujer y el Sol” (The Woman and the Sun)

8. José Antonio Díaz Peláez (1932–1988)
Díaz Peláez was a painter whose work often dealt with abstraction and geometric patterns. His paintings featured strong contrasts of color and emphasized form and structure. He was part of the broader Cuban modernist movement that embraced both European avant-garde and local Cuban themes.
Notable work: “Composición en Azul” (Composition in Blue)

9. Francisco Antigua (1922–2002)
Antigua was a sculptor whose work focused on abstract and minimalist forms. He was part of the movement that sought to express the essence of shapes and materials, often experimenting with the textures of wood, metal, and other mediums. His sculptures are known for their simplicity and elegance.
Notable work: “Figura Abstracta” (Abstract Figure)

10. Viredo Espinosa (1932–2012)
Viredo Espinosa was a painter and printmaker known for his abstract and conceptual approach to art. His works often dealt with the interplay of space, color, and form, and he was influenced by the geometric abstraction and modernist movements that were emerging globally.
Notable work: “Composición Geométrica” (Geometric Composition) “The Cabildo is Coming”  1997, “Llabo” 1953

11. José Ignacio Bermúdez (1925–2002)
Bermúdez was a painter and sculptor who focused on abstraction and the exploration of geometric forms. His work was characterized by clean lines, precise shapes, and a use of vibrant colors. He sought to create works that were both aesthetically pleasing and intellectually stimulating.
Notable work: “Composición en Verde” (Composition in Green)

12. Raúl Martínez (1927–1995)
Martinez came into los once after Jose Ignacio Bermudez leaves for the United States.
Notable work: “Composición” (1950s)