Contemporary Cuban women artists in Amarillo, TX
There have been surprisingly few surveys of contemporary Cuban women artists. “Layered Lives: The Art of Nine Contemporary Cuban Women from the Discoveries in Art • Certilman Family Collection” at the Amarillo Museum of Art aims to shed light on women’s significant contributions to the cultural fabric of their country and beyond. The show premieres on January 18 and runs through March 23, 2025.
The works showcased span the last 30 years and feature a selection of nine contemporary artists: Ariamna Contino, Aimée García Marrero, Rocío García de la Nuez, Alejandra Glez, Elsa Mora, Mabel Poblet Pujol, Sandra Ramos, Adislen Reyes, and Linet Sánchez Gutiérrez. While half of the artists continue to reside permanently in Cuba, others, such as Ramos, Mora, and García Marrero, have emigrated to the United States. Some, like Contino and Poblet, have residences in both Cuba and Spain. Despite geographical distances, they remain deeply connected to their heritage and share common values, as reflected in their works, which bear witness to the enduring impact Cuba has had on their multilayered lives.
The artists highlighted in this exhibition represent two distinct generations with somewhat different formative experiences. Ramos, Mora, García Marrero, and García de la Nuez received their training during the challenging era of the 1990s, known as the “Special Period.” This period was marked by profound economic crisis and scarcity following the collapse of the Soviet Union, which had been Cuba’s primary source of economic and political support during the Cold War.
In contrast, Poblet, Glez, Sánchez, Reyes, and Contino, born later in the 1980s, began their careers amidst a growing awareness of the world beyond, facilitated by increased tourism and opportunities for artists abroad. Despite these divergent backgrounds, most of the artists in this exhibition received their training at the country’s prestigious art schools: the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) and the Academia de Bellas Arts de San Alejandro.
Cuba has a rich history of women artists who have made significant contributions to the country’s vibrant and diverse art scene. These women have explored various artistic mediums, styles, and themes, often breaking boundaries and challenging societal norms. Most of the female artists in the collection reflect upon their intense personal experiences and examine their identity within a strict social and political order. Their explorations are not merely internal, but also external, expressing a desire to transcend the physical and psychological constraints imposed upon them by their country’s restrictions and relative isolation as an island nation.
Through different strategies and symbolism, they convey their anxieties, dreams, and visions, often quite literally weaving together histories about themselves and their homeland. Their prevalent use of mixed media — especially repurposed materials — reflects the resourcefulness that modern Cuban women have developed to thrive despite limited available materials.
The Amarillo Museum of Art is located at 2200 South Van Buren on the Washington Street campus of Amarillo College. Hours are Wednesday—Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m.—5 p.m. For additional information, visit www.amoa.org.
