The Cuban canvas

Some trips are taken for the experience, for learning something new, and for exploring the word beyond the usual. Anushee and Ayla hang out in Havana this week and tell you all you need to know about the Cuban love for art

Caught between a troubled past and a transforming present, Havana remains a mesmerising city with everlasting beauty and a spirited nightlife. Art is very central to Cuba’s culture, and with the emergence of powerful contemporary artists since the 1980s, the country is gaining recognition by international galleries and museums. Cuban art brings together different cultures and influences from Europe, North America, Africa, and Native America.



Cuban artists began experimenting by expressing Cuban culture through cubism and surrealism. With more recent works containing vibrant hues and positive vibes, locals escape from their real-life hardships through art.

The government has put in great efforts to preserve the art in the city. Precious artefacts have been shifted to galleries and studios under great security and supervision, to keep each detail intact.

Museums and galleries to visit

Galeria Villa Manuela is a go-to spot for tourists who want to purchase art by local artists. Works by artists such as Esterio Segura, Kcho, and Alan Manuel can be found there.

Fabrica de Arte Cubano is a gallery that serves as a platform for emerging artists looking to enter the art world. It is also home to many established artists, who once started their careers from this gallery.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is a Fine Arts museum showcasing Cuban art collected from the 19th century.

Factoria Habana is an old, converted paper factory that holds rotating exhibitions of top artists.

To get your hands on unique pieces that don’t make it to the galleries, many Havana artists sell their work through their private studios, by appointment.

Trending artists

Carlos Garaicoa

Garaicoa is popular in the Cuban art scene and an upcoming star at international art fairs. Since the early 1990s, he has used sculpture, photography, performance, and video to comment on social and political issues based on the Cuban revolution.

Alex Hernández Dueñas And Ariamna Contino Mendoza

The dynamic artistic couple, Duenas and Mendoza, often displays its work at Havana’s prestigious art gallery, Galería Habana. The young couple, in its early 30s, fuses its artistic skill with social and political awareness.

Alejandro Campins

Campins holds a powerful command over landscape painting and boldly establishes a rich and distinctive style.