Nestor Arenas

About

The work of Néstor Arenas immerses us in an imaginary where memory, impulses and desires merge. His landscapes, neo-figurative and abstract at the same time, project visions where the historical and the personal biography cohabitate.

Dennys Matos.

BIO

Néstor Arenas, born in 1964 in Holguín, Cuba, is one of the most representative neo-figurative artists of his generation. His work projects visions where the historical coexists with the autobiographical, intertwining critical reflections on both his past life experiences under the totalitarian communist utopia and his present within capitalism in the era of the global village. A graduate of the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA, Havana, 1990), he first resided in Spain from 1995 to 2001, where he held several solo exhibitions, including "Landscapes and Fragments" (1998) and "Classic Landscapes" (2000), both at Lausin & Blasco Gallery. In 2001, he established his residence in Miami, during which time he has developed a dozen solo exhibitions such as "Transforming Landscapes III" (CCEMIAMI, 2016), "Dichotomous Structure" (Kendall Art Center, 2017), among others. His most recent solo exhibition, "Looking Forward," was displayed last year at the Hamlin Creative Space-Weitz Center of Carleton College (2018) in Northfield, Minnesota. In 2022, the Bellas Artes Museum of the City of Rennes, France, commissioned him for a mural six meters high and 40 meters in length, as part of one of the largest exhibitions of Cuban art held in France in recent years. The Pollock-Krasner Foundation of the United States awarded him the prize in its 2019 edition for his extensive and recognized career."

STATEMENTS

I propose a reflection on the landscape and the geometric languages present in architecture and the history of art. The central idea is to create a landscape that combines all the experiences I have acquired on my journey through different places where I have lived,This is a reflection on an uncertain world, in which an attempt is made to create a vision in which different realities coexist and combine to shape a new reality.I propose a vision in which different iconographies and realities are mixed to create a new and different landscape. The idea of the "possible landscape" is a proposal that invites reflection on how we can create a better world through the combination and synthesis of different experiences and realities.

COLLECTIONS

The work of Néstor Arenas is widely represented in private and public collections in America, the United States and Europe. Collections in the United States: Forrest Capital Collection, Miami, Florida. Jorge Reynardus, New York. Doug McCraw Collection, Florida. Leigh University, Pennsylvania. Collections in Europe: University of Valencia. Lausin & Blasco Collection, Zaragoza. José María Conchoso, Bilbao, they are all in Spain. Morten Viskums Collection in Oslo, Norway. François Vallée Collection in Rennes, France. In addition, in the collections in Cuba at the National Council of Plastic Arts and the Holguín History Museum.

Néstor Arenas

Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

• 1985-1990: Higher Institute of Art, Havana, Cuba.

• 1981-1985: Professional School of Art, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1978-1981: Elementary School of Art, Holguín, Cuba.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

• 2018: "Looking Forward," Hamlin Creative Space Weitz Center, Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota.

• 2017: "Dichotomous Structures," Kendall Art Center, Miami, Florida.

• 2016: "Paisajes Transformers III," Centro Cultural Español, Miami, Florida.

• 2015: "Paisajes Transformers II," XII Bienal de La Habana, ZONA FRANCA, collateral exhibition, La Cabaña, Havana, Cuba.

• 2014: "Paisajes Transformers," Farside Art Project, Miami, Florida.

• 2010: "Lego paintings," Lyle O’Reitzel Gallery, Miami, Florida.

• 2008: "Solo show," ISM Gallery, Miami, Florida.

• 2007: "Sin Título," Edge Zones Project, Miami, Florida.

• 2003: "Trabajos recientes," Arts Center, South Florida, Miami.

• 2000: "Paisajes Clásicos," Lausin & Blasco Gallery, Zaragoza, Spain.

• 1998: "Paisajes y Fragmentos," Lausin & Blasco Gallery, Zaragoza, Spain.

• 1996: "Pinturas," Colon XVI Gallery, Bilbao, Spain.

• 1995: "Sin Título," U.N.E.A.C., Holguín, Cuba.

• 1995: "El Fin de la Idea," Pernik Hotel Gallery, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1995: "El Circo, la Malabarista y el Héroe," Centro de Arte, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1994: "En el Lado Oscuro de la Ciudad," 23 & 12 Gallery, V Bienal de La Habana, Cuba.

• 1993: "La Idea Fija II," La Sala Oscura Gallery, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1991: "La Idea Fija I," La Sala Oscura Gallery, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1990: "Formas Flavio," Higher Institute of Art, Havana, Cuba.

COLLECTIVE EXHIBITION

• 2023: "Pinta PArC 2023," Rubber Stamp Project.Lima, Peru.

• 2023: "SWAB Art Fair," Barcelona, Spain.

• 2023: “Small Things That Seem Eternal," a collective exhibition, 305 Art Space. Miami

• 2022: "Tout le poids d'une île”. Contemporary Cuban Art from Francois Valle Collection. Museum of Fine Arts of Rennes, France.

• 2020: "Expressions of A Pandemic," The Coral Gables Museum, Miami, Florida.

• 2020: "Looking North: Cuban Art In The Rodriguez Collection" at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers, Florida.

• 2019: "Crosscurrents," Foosaner Art Museum, Melbourne, Florida.

• 2019: "New Industry: Contemporary Visions of the Industrial," The Frank Art Gallery, City of Pembroke Pines.

• 2018: "Against Gravity," Doral Contemporary Art Museum and Collection Suites.

• 2017: "Identity and Belonging," Wall Street Fine Gallery, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

• 2017: "The Object and the Image," Concrete Space Projects, Curatorial Project of Aluna Art Foundation, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2016: "Photo Lima", Artium-Miami Art Gallery, Lima, Peru.

• 2016: "BA Photo", Artium-Miami Art Gallery, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

• 2016: "Good to the last droop," Artium-Miami Art Gallery, Miami, Florida.

• 2016: "Cuban Fried Chicken," MAC Fine Art, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

• 2016: "La madre de todas las artes," CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER WIFREDO LAM, Havana, Cuba.

• 2016: "CONTEMPORARY CUBAN ART 'BASIC INSTINCT': PAPERS FROM CUBA," Cervantes Institute of Rome, Rome, Italy.

• 2015: "Di-Verse," Mexican Cultural Institute, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2015: "Who Keeps the Dog," MAC Fine Art, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

• 2015: "Cuatro Veces Cuatro," Cuban American Phototheque Foundation, Miami, USA.

• 2014: "RE," MAC Fine Art, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

• 2014: "Trayectos de Ida y Vuelta: Gráfica Transibérica desde Miami," Museum of Huelva, Spain.

• 2014: "Cuatro veces Cuatro," Fototeca de Cuba, Havana, Cuba.

• 2014: "Red Dot Art Fair," Latin American Art Pavilion, Miami, FL, USA.

• 2014: "Thirty Years on the Road," Art Center South Florida, USA.

• 2013: "WHICH WAY OUT," Studio 18, Pembroke Pines City, Florida, USA.

• 2013: "Too much is not enough," Collective Show at the Haitian Cultural Center, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2013: "Collective show," Carlos Albizu University, Doral City, Florida, USA.

• 2013: "URBAN STATEMENT," Miguel Rodez Art Projects, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2012: "Arte y Urbe," Kertiles Art Space and Project, Curator: Dennys Matos, Miami, Florida.

• 2012: "BABEL," Collective Photography Exhibition, NESTOR ARENAS ART STUDIO & PROJECT SPACE, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2010: "Arte Americas," Miami Beach Convention Center, Florida, USA.

• 2010: "Shanghai Art Fair," Collection of Arturo Mosquera, Freedom Tower, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2010: "Soupe D'Escargot," Alliance Francaise South Florida, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2009: "Arte Americas," Miami Beach Convention Center, Florida, USA.

• 2009: "No son todos los que Están," Nkisi Project, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2009: "Abstractomicina," Cremata Art Gallery, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2008: "FLAT," Edge Zones Project, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2008: "CUBA UNTITLE II," Heidi Cho Gallery, New York, USA.

• 2007: "Cubano Americanos en el Foco," Gallery of the Leigh University, NOBE, Hotel Deauville, Miami Beach, Florida, USA.

• 2007: "DELIVERED," ISM Gallery, Miami, Florida.

• 2006: "LATIN AMERICAN ART," Selection from Lehigh University Art Gallery Collection, USA.

• 2006: "ARTISTAS CUBANOS AL AUXILIO 2," Hotel Biltmore, Coral Gables, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2006: "COLLECTING CUBAN-AMERICAN ART," University at Buffalo, Art Gallery, USA.

• 2006: "DESASTRES," Photo España, Carmen de la Guerra Art Gallery, Spain.

• 2006: "WEST PALM BEACH," International Fair, Ambrosino Art Gallery, USA.

• 2006: "ART MIAMI," International Fair, Carmen de la Guerra Art Gallery, Spain.

• 2006: "PLURAL MIAMI," Edge Zones, World Arts Building, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2005: "COMPLEMENTS," Group Show, Art Center South Florida, USA.

• 2005: "ALTERED REALITIES," Art Center South Florida, USA.

• 2005: "BEYOND ALL THAT," Edge Zones, World Arts Building, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2005: "ON THE RIGHT TRACK," "Contra Corriente," Lyle O'Reitzel Arte Contemporáneo, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

• 2005: "ARTISTAS CUBANOS AL AUXILIO," Hotel Biltmore, Coral Gables, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2004: "MIAMI NOW," Edge Zones, World Arts Building, Miami, Florida, USA.

• 2004: "DE IDA Y VUELTA," Cuban Artists in Spain, Centro Cultural Español, Miami.

• 2004: "LANDSCAPE AFTER THE BATTLE," Miami Dade College, Frances Wolfson Gallery, Florida, USA.

• 2004: "OPTIC NERVE," Scott White Arte Contemporáneo, San Diego, California, USA.

• 2004: "3@924," José Pacheco, Patricio Cuello, and Néstor Arenas, Centro de Arte, Miami Beach, Florida, USA.

• 2003: "OUT OF SIGHT," Technicolor and Deviations, Centro de Arte South Florida, Richard Shack Gallery.

• 2003: "6 NEW VISIONS," Reynardus & Moya, New York and Siegel Gallery, Leight University, Pennsylvania.

• 2001: "Pamplona Biennial", Spain.

• 2000: "Art at Hotel," Art al Rec Gallery, Barcelona, Spain.

• 2000: "Premio Z'ARTE," Zaragoza Center Convention, Spain.

• 2000: "LXI National Exhibition of Plastic Arts," Valdepeñas, Spain.

• 2000: "New Art in Barcelona," Art al Rec Gallery, Spain.

• 1999: "Premio Z'ARTE," Zaragoza Center Convention, Spain.

• 1998: "Artistas de la Galería," Lausin & Blasco Gallery, Spain.

• 1997: "Historia de un Viaje," Cuban Artists in Europe, University of Valencia, Spain.

• 1995: "Pinturas," UNEAC Gallery, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1995: Collective Exhibition at the Ludwing Foundation of Cuba, Havana, Cuba.

• 1994: "Young Cuban Art," Martinique. • 1993: "Cuban Artists," Monterrey, Mexico.

• 1991-1992: "Born in Cuba," Traveling Exhibition, Museum of Modern Art, Mexico City, Mexico.

• 1991: "Symposium of Sculpture," CODEMA, Guantánamo, Cuba.

• 1991: "San Valentín," Art Center, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1991: "Festival of the Caribbean," Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

• 1991: "V Centenary Salon," Art Center, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1991: "National Painting Prize," National Museum, Havana, Cuba.

• 1991: "The City," La Sala Oscura Gallery, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1990: "Text with Context," La Sala Oscura Gallery, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1990: "Genre: Landscape," La Sala Oscura Gallery, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1990: "Resolutions," La Periquera” Museum, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1990: "Interiors," Center for the Development of Visual Arts, Havana, Cuba.

• 1990: "IV Biennial of Humor," San Antonio de los Baños, Havana, Cuba.

• 1990: "Salon 13 de Marzo," University of Havana, Havana, Cuba.

• 1990: "The Sculptured Object," Center for the Development of Visual Arts, Havana, Cuba.

• 1989: "Provincial Painting Prize," Holguín, Cuba.

• 1989: "City Prize," Holguín, Cuba.

• 1989: "Extra," TV Cristal, Holguín, Cuba.

• 1988: "Provincial Painting Prize," Holguín, Cuba.

• 1987: "Provincial Painting Prize," Holguín, Cuba.

• 1986: "Provincial Painting Prize," Holguín, Cuba.

GRANTS

• 2003-2004: Studio Residency Program at the South Florida Art Center, Miami Beach, Florida.

• 2019: The Pollock-Krasner grants 2019, New York.

PUBLICATIONS

“Landscapes and Structures”. Nestor Arenas. Published by DM.Art Project. 2022

“Recent Works”: Néstor Arenas (Rodriguez Collection) Amazon Paperback. 2019

“Néstor Arenas, abstracción y sintaxis de la utopía”. Dennys Matos. Miami Herald, 2017.