
Darwin Estacio Martinez is a contemporary artist born in 1982, in Manzanillo, Cuba. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the prestigious Professional Academy of Fine Arts "El Alba" in Holguin, Cuba, and a Master of Fine Arts from the Higher Institute of Arts in Havana. Currently, Martinez is an esteemed professor at the National Fine Arts Academy (San Alejandro) and the Higher Institute of Arts in Havana, where he shares his expertise and passion for the arts with aspiring young artists.
Martinez's compositions often remove contextual information and instead rely on a universal visual language to convey unfinished stories through fragments and symbols. The use of bold colors and intricate textures adds depth and complexity to his works. Martinez's paintings have a dreamlike quality, with subjects that appear to be suspended in time and space. His art often explores themes of identity, memory, and social commentary, allowing viewers to engage with the work on a personal and emotional level.
Throughout his extensive artistic career, Martinez has participated in numerous exhibitions and showcases across Cuba and other countries worldwide. His exceptional works have been exhibited in the United States, Spain, Germany, South Korea, China, and Holland, among other countries. Martinez's art has been featured in various publications, including ArtScene and Cutting Edge: 100 Cuban Artists, and has garnered critical acclaim from art critics and enthusiasts alike. Most recently, Martinez was invited to showcase his art at the 2nd Dafen International Oil Painting Biennale in Shenzhen, China, and exhibited his work with the Cica Museum in Gimpo-si, Korea.
EXHIBITIONS
2023- “Credible Thread”, Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
- POST IT – Representa!, Estacion Cultural, Habana, Cuba
- “Personal Spaces: Three Views of the World Around Us”, Oak Ridge Art Center, TN
- “Summertime”, International Gallery of Contemporary Art, Anchorage, AK
- “Time Stands Still”, Galeria Cubana, Provincetown, MA
- “Tout le Poids d’un île”, Collectionner l’art Cubain, Musee des Beaux-arts de Rennes, Rennes, France
- “Saturated Euphoria”, Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
- La Galleria Cubana, Provincetown, MA
- Shoebox Projects, Los Angeles, CA
- Czng Institute of Contemporary Art, South Korea
- 25th Romerias de Mayo, Art Center, Holguín, Cuba
- San Alejandro National Fine Arts School, Havana, Cuba
- La Galleria Cubana, Provincetown, MA
- Yucca Valley Art’s Center, CA
- Contemporary Art Peru Art Fair, Peru
- Lois Lambert Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
- Avery Galleries, Bryn Mawr, PA
- GX Gallery, London, England
- International Festival of Arts, Holguín, Cuba
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018- Cultural Art Center, Holguín, Cuba
- Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, Havana
- Fucina Des Artistas, Havana, Cuba
- Lois Lambert Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
- Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, Havana
- Carmelo González Gallery, Havana, Cuba
- Art Center, Holguín, Cuba
EDUCATION
2011- Postgraduate in Microsociology, University of Arts, Havana, Cuba
- Graduate from University of Arts, Havana, Cuba
- Graduate from The Professional Arts Academy, El Alba, Holguín City, Cuba
EXHIBITIONS
2023- “Credible Thread”, Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
- POST IT – Representa!, Estacion Cultural, Habana, Cuba
- “Personal Spaces: Three Views of the World Around Us”, Oak Ridge Art Center, TN
- “Summertime”, International Gallery of Contemporary Art, Anchorage, AK
- “Time Stands Still”, Galeria Cubana, Provincetown, MA
- “Tout le Poids d’un île”, Collectionner l’art Cubain, Musee des Beaux-arts de Rennes, Rennes, France
- “Saturated Euphoria”, Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
- La Galleria Cubana, Provincetown, MA
- Shoebox Projects, Los Angeles, CA
- Czng Institute of Contemporary Art, South Korea
- 25th Romerias de Mayo, Art Center, Holguín, Cuba
- San Alejandro National Fine Arts School, Havana, Cuba
- La Galleria Cubana, Provincetown, MA
- Yucca Valley Art’s Center, CA
- Contemporary Art Peru Art Fair, Peru
- Lois Lambert Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
- Avery Galleries, Bryn Mawr, PA
- GX Gallery, London, England
- International Festival of Arts, Holguín, Cuba
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2018- Cultural Art Center, Holguín, Cuba
- Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, Havana
- Fucina Des Artistas, Havana, Cuba
- Lois Lambert Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
- Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, Havana
- Carmelo González Gallery, Havana, Cuba
- Art Center, Holguín, Cuba
EDUCATION
2011- Postgraduate in Microsociology, University of Arts, Havana, Cuba
- Graduate from University of Arts, Havana, Cuba
- Graduate from The Professional Arts Academy, El Alba, Holguín City, Cuba