Art Brut Project Cuba

22/04/2026

We are glad to know that works by Cuban artist Damián Valdés Dilla will be on exhibition at christian berst art brut

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AvMXYuBSr/

Upcoming exhibition : Damián Valdés Dilla - il y a d’autres mondes…

Join us for the opening on Thursday 30 April

22/04/2026

Glad to know that works by the Cuban artist Lázaro Martínez Durán will be exhibited at christian berst art brut.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18gGdGvvvY/

Upcoming exhibition at The Bridge : Lazaro Martinez Duran - video ergo sum

Join us for the opening on Thursday 30

Cuban artist Lázaro Martínez Durán develops a distinctive practice based on images sourced from the media, which he cuts, assembles, and recomposes to create an imaginary television channel. Immersed in a flow blending political propaganda, sporting events, and advertisements, he suspends these fleeting moments into a series of still images that convey his personal vision of Cuba. His work is now held in major collections, including the abcd / Bruno Decharme collection and the Collection de l’Art Brut in Lausanne.

25/03/2026

Our gratitude to artist and writer John Drury for this great review of the book ART BRUT CUBA in Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Art. ART BRUT CUBA is published by 5 Continents Editions and Collection de l'Art Brut, Lausanne.

10/03/2026

"Existen" is a documentary that pays tribute to the work of Nicolás Guillén Landrián, one of the most singular filmmakers in the Cuban audiovisual tradition. The film focuses on a particular vision of some emblematic street characters in Havana who suffer from mental illnesses. Through them, a narrative is constructed that proposes a distorted alternative to reality, capable of questioning the established logic of our social and political life in Cuba.

The director, Esteban Insausti, emerges as a forward-thinking filmmaker who explores the boundaries of the filmic document. His proposal is not limited to recording reality, but transforms it into a space of aesthetic and philosophical reflection. In this way, "Existen" becomes a work that challenges the viewer, forcing them to reconsider the boundaries between madness and lucidity, between marginality and artistic representation.

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"Existen" es un documental que rinde homenaje a la obra de Nicolás Guillén Landrián, uno de los cineastas más singulares de la tradición audiovisual cubana. El documental se centra en una visión particular de algunos personajes callejeros emblemáticos de La Habana, quienes padecen enfermedades mentales. A través de ellos, se construye una narrativa que propone una alternativa distorsionada de la realidad, capaz de cuestionar la lógica establecida de nuestra vida social y política en Cuba.

El director, Esteban Insausti, se revela como un cineasta de pensamiento adelantado que explora los límites del documento fílmico. Su propuesta no se limita a registrar lo real, sino que lo transforma en un espacio de reflexión estética y filosófica. De este modo, "Existen" se convierte en una obra que interpela al espectador, obligándolo a reconsiderar las fronteras entre la locura y la lucidez, entre la marginalidad y la representación artística.

Existen es un homenaje a la obra de Nicolás Guillén Landrián y trata acerca de algunos de los locos más conocidos de La Habana.Esteban Insausti (Guión, Fot...

06/03/2026

Thanks to Carlos Aguilera for allowing me to share this formidable, timely, and highly indicative essay, featured in his dossier “Without ‘Papa’ Ordaz’s Permission”, dedicated to the relationship between cinema, psychiatric institutions, and neurodivergence in Cuba. This more than comprehensive text by essayist and researcher Antonio Enrique González Rojas explores the subject in depth.

"Mental illness in Cuba continues to be regarded as something shameful—the guests never cease to emphasize prophylactic strategies aimed at preventing mental disorders among Cubans, with the goal of an ideal eradication. Cuban institutional cinema of the sixties, seventies, and eighties barely touches on this territory, and when it does, it is only to present it as another conquest of the revolution, a humanitarian and social achievement, another triumph over life and nature."

Gracias a Carlos Aguilera por permitirme compartir este ensayo formidable muy indicativo y oportuno, visible en su dossier «Sin permiso de ‘papá’ Ordaz», dedicado a la relación cine, institución psiquiátrica y neurodivergencias en Cuba, con este más que completo texto del ensayista e investigador Antonio Enrique González Rojas sobre el tema.

"La enfermedad mental en Cuba no deja de ser algo vergonzante —los invitados no dejan de ponderar las estrategias profilácticas que buscan prevenir los trastornos mentales en los cubanos, con vistas a una ideal erradicación. El audiovisual cinematográfico institucional cubano en los sesenta, setenta y ochenta apenas aborda este territorio, apenas para mostrarlo como otra conquista de la revolución, como un mérito humanitario y social, como otro triunfo sobre la vida y la naturaleza."

https://www.in-cubadora.com/2026/03/06/antonio-enrique-gonzalez-rojas-sin-permiso-de-papa-ordaz-psiquiatria-enfermedades-mentales-y-neurodiversidad-en-el-cine-cubano/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQX--dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFGMVlKOHlYQlVFMGwwdkNYc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHodqTdHcLysDm-kkIlioIA4pTHnTTwxOOWUPjL-OV910B5QNzHHOClE3P-_o_aem_9ZE62ACzphRD4V0d0d7N4w

©Damaris Betancourt, 'Bernabé Ordaz en su oficina', 1998. Serie ‘Diez días en Mazorra’. Comenzamos nuestro Dossier "Sin permiso de 'papá' Ordaz", dedicado a la relación cine, institución psiquiátrica y neurodivergencias en Cuba, con este más que completo texto del ensayista e investigado...

06/03/2026

Pese a las circunstancias adversas que atraviesa Cuba en estos momentos, y al persistente interés de seudo “críticos” y llamados “curadores” de pacotilla disfrazados de ovejitas sonrientes, Art Brut Project Cuba sigue en pie. La comunicación constante es nuestra principal herramienta; prevalecer al artista y favorecer el ejercicio del arte sin alteraciones que modulen el espíritu creativo natural constituye nuestra misión.
Conozca de cerca la obra de este extraordinario artista: Américo Cruz (La Salud, 1902 – 1990), uno de los antecedentes más antiguos en el tiempo dentro del Art Brut cubano.
Visite nuestra página web: www.rierastudioart.com y descubra por usted mismo el fascinante mundo del Art Brut y Outsider Art en Cuba, de primera mano.
Riera Studio
Art Brut Project Cuba

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06/03/2026

Despite the adverse circumstances that Cuba is currently facing, and the persistent interest of pseudo “critics” and so called “curators” of little substance disguised as smiling lambs, Art Brut Project Cuba remains standing. Constant communication is our main tool; upholding the artist and fostering the practice of art without alterations that compromise the natural creative spirit is our mission.
Discover the work of this extraordinary artist: Américo Cruz (La Salud, 1902 – 1990), one of the earliest antecedents in Cuban Art Brut.
Visit our website: www.rierastudioart.com and see for yourself, firsthand, the fascinating world of Art Brut and Outsider Art in Cuba.
Riera Studio
Art Brut Project Cuba

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21/01/2026

ESMÉRIDO CABADO JUSTIZ
Havana, 1954
Art Brut Project Cuba
Riera Studio

Esmérido has been visually impaired since birth. However, this difficulty has not prevented him from approaching artistic creation for years. He is passionate about drawing and creating objects with common materials such as cardboard, aluminum foil and electrical wires. A recurring theme in his work, which he has been developing for a long time, has to do with transportation, especially with the buses that have been used in Cuba since 1959, as well as the creation of different models of motorcycles.

20/01/2026

Guillermo Jorge Mena Sanchez
Art Brut Project Cuba
Riera Studio