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BIO & CV
Biography
Rubert Quintana (Holguín, Cuba, 1975) is a visual artist based in Miami. He trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Holguín, where he learned classical techniques of representation, and later at the Higher Institute of Art, where he epistemologically complemented the theoretical body of his works. In his early years, his discourse exposed the ideological precariousness of the dictatorship and he even carried out direct political actions against the Castrist monarchy. This stance led to censorship and institutional isolation, until in 2016 he was forced to emigrate to Miami.
His artistic practice is diverse, as are his series—at times poetic, at others mordant. He addresses social issues such as memory, displacement, and identity, while questioning paradigms and the structural bases of power, using multiple media (painting, collage, photography, performance, and installation) according to each project's conceptual needs. His work stems from the experience of having lived under a system of ideological control and repression in Cuba and his subsequent emigration to the United States in 2016. Recent series such as Mogotes build psychological landscapes through fragmented and abandoned architectures that function as metaphors of diaspora and personal reconstruction. He has participated in exhibitions in Cuba, Europe, and the United States. He currently lives and works in Miami.
Quintana conceives art as a form of mass communication capable of raising awareness and provoking social change. Inspired by notable references from Pop Art, conceptual and post-conceptual art associated with propagandistic design and social impact, he embraces strategies such as wearable slogans, murals, and artworks in public and alternative spaces, in order to bypass dependency on institutional programs and the approval of legitimized spaces subject to censorship. He seeks to reach galleries, curators, and collectors who share an interest in socially engaged, aesthetically solid, and culturally impactful art.
His work has been exhibited in biennials, museums, and collective spaces, and continues to expand its reach through digital platforms and international collaborations. With one foot in Cuban artistic tradition and the other in a global context, Rubert Quintana positions himself as a relevant voice in contemporary Latin American art in exile.
Artistic Influences
Although I identify with various artists and movements in some works, my main influences come from pop art, conceptualism, and post-conceptualism. The artists who have had the most significant impact on my work include Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer, and Barbara Kruger.
Notable Exhibitions
2010 - Basic Rhetoric (solo exhibition), Cuba.
2007 - Killing Time: An exhibition of Cuban artists from the 1980s to the present, Exit Art, New York, USA.
2007 - CUBA: Artists Experience Their Country, Hunterdon Museum, New Jersey, USA.
Curated by Kristen Accola
Current Projects
I am currently working on multiple sculptural and mural projects while simultaneously expanding my artistic work into fashion. I am integrating my art into wearable pieces such as t-shirts, hats, and bags, using these items as a medium to spread and popularize my work.
Additionally, I am creating a digital channel on YouTube dedicated to art criticism, documentation, and analysis of artworks. Through this platform, I aim to explain fundamental aspects of the creative process and provide a broader perspective on contemporary art and its impact.
CV
Rubert G. Quintana Blasco
Holguin, Cuba 1975
Visual Artist
Education
2005 MA. Painting, Engraving, Digital Art. Higher Institute of Arts (ISA), Havana. Cuba.
2000 BA. Engraving and Photography, Academy of Fine Art , Holguin. Cuba.
Professional Experience in USA
2019–2025 — Artist, Designer, Fabricator, Art Handler & Conservator Coral Gables Museum, MOCA North Miami, The Bass Museum, Museo del Sexo Miami, The Frank Galleries, Hollywood Cultural Arts Center, and various galleries and studios in Miami-Dade and Broward County.
Awards & Grants
2025 — Artist Support Grant, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
Solo Shows (Selection)
2024 Nothing Personal. ManKind. Coral Gables, March, Miami
2010 Basic Rhetoric. Fausto Cristo Gallery (UNEAC), March, Holguín
2005 Reflections. Higher Institute of Art, December. Havana
2004 Palmas Reales (Royal Palms). Gallery Servando Cabrera Moreno, Havana
2001 Donations. Romerías de Mayo, May, Holguín
2000 At noon. Holguín. June, Engraving workshop
Group Shows (Selection)
2016
Autopia: Road Trips from the Cold War to the Present. Bakehouse Art Complex, Miami, FL, USA.
November 28, 2016- january 13, 2017
Curated by Elvis Fuentes and Gabriela M. Fernandez
2009
The City Art Show. January, Art Center, Holguín
2008
CUBA: Artists Experience Their Country. January 13 - March 30, Hunterdon Museum, New Jersey
Curator: Kristen Accola
Small format Show, December, Camagüey
2007
Killing Time: An exhibition of Cuban artists from the 1980s to the present. Exit Art, New York, USA.
May 12 - July 28, 2007
Curators: Elvis Fuentes, Glexis Novoa and Yuneikys Villalonga
The City Art Show. January, Art Center, Holguín
Province Art Show, Art Center, Holguín
2004
Fleorescencia/Fluorescence. School of Arts and Letters. University of Havana, Cuba.
2003
Güines Record. Collective Performance. VIII Havana Biennial of Art. ENEMA Collective, Pabellón Cuba-Güines. Havana, Cuba.
Morcilla. Collective Performance. VIII Havana Biennial of Art. ENEMA Collective, La Cabaña Casttle. Havana, Cuba.
ENEMA Billboard Collective Performance. VIII Havana Biennial of Art. ENEMA Collective, Pabellón Cuba. Havana, Cuba.
Sarayeye. Collective Performance. ENEMA Collective. School of Arts and Letters, Havana, Cuba.
From a Black Hole. Cultural Centre of Spain, Havana, Cuba.
2002
From a Black Hole. Cuba . Son Space, Pals, Spain. De Miguel Gallery, Munich, Germany; Gallery Christian Dam, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Recursos humanos. Collective performance. Havana Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
Marca registrada. Collective performance. Gallery 23 & 12, Havana, Cuba.
Huella Múltiple. Centre for the Development of the Visual Arts, Havana, Cuba.
Dibujo en trece etapas. Huella Múltiple Event. La Casona Gallery. Havana, Cuba.
ENEMA. Multimedia Event, during the week of the Camagueyanian Culture. Camaguey, Cuba.
Copyright. Cultural Centre of Spain. Havana, Cuba.
Presentation of ENEMA No. 4 (magazine). Wifredo Lam Center. Havana, Cuba
2001
Suelo Raso. San Lázaro Church, December 17, Santiago de las Vegas, Havana, Cuba
You see what you feel; we see. Collective performance. CDAV, Havana, Cuba.
Presentation of Notinema II. (Virtual television channel). 3rd Contemporary Cuban Art Salon, Havana, Cuba.
Paladar El arte cubano. Mona Lisa Restaurant, Havana, Cuba
ENEMA. Multimedia event. Second Week of Young Art from Santa Clara. Villa Clara. Cuba.
ENEMA Multimedia event. Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, Havana, Cuba
Mezclilla. Collective performance. Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, Havana, Cuba
Presentation of ENEMA No. 4 (magazine). Ludwig Foundation of Cuba. Havana, Cuba.
Amarrados Collective performance. Romerías de Mayo. Holguín, Cuba.
ENEMA Vs Guests Collective performance. Latin American Stadium. Havana, Cuba.
Dibujo en nueve etapas Collective performance. 1st Visual Arts Biennial from Trinidad. Cuba
Sarayeye Collective performance. Higher Institute of Art. Havana, Cuba.
Breaking the Ice Collective performance. Higher Institute of Art. Havana, Cuba.
2000
Presentation of Notinema I. (Virtual television channel). VII Havana Biennial. ENEMA collective. Havana, Cuba.
Travelling exhibition Collective performance. ENEMA. Opening of the 7th Havana Biennial. Havana, Cuba.
Presentation of ENEMA No. 2 y 3. Multimedia event, at the presentation of ENEMA magazine. Havana, Cuba.
Homage to Lázaro. Collective performance. ENEMA. Mariano No.213 between San Pablo & Auditor, Cerro. Havana, Cuba.
North Coast. Collective Performance. ENEMA. Marianao beaches, Havana, Cuba.
Creative Space Collective Performance. ENEMA. Higher Institute of Art. Havana, Cuba.
Ni a la izquierda ni a la derecha. 1st Week of Young art from Santa Clara. Santa Clara, Cuba.
Presentation of ENEMA No.1 (Art Magazine) Havana, Cuba.