Darián Gallardo
Darián Alejandro Gallardo Crespo (Cienfuegos, Cuba, 1999) is a Cuban contemporary visual artist recognized for his dynamic and evolving body of work. A graduate with honors from the University of the Arts (ISA) in Havana in 2023, and previously from the Benny Moré Art School in his hometown, Gallardo represents a new generation of emerging Cuban artists exploring diverse forms of visual expression.
His artistic journey has been marked by early accolades, such as second place in the "Tu Animado Favorito" animation contest organized by legendary Cuban animator Juan Padrón in 2020, and by personal projects like his 2018 installation Reminiscencias. In 2023, he expanded his visual storytelling skills through participation in the Avenida Italia Graphic Novel Workshop, further enriching his narrative approach.
Gallardo has exhibited his work in multiple group exhibitions in Cuba and abroad, including the 15th Havana Biennial(2024), Post-it 10 at Galería Galiano (2023), the Leopoldo Romañach National Landscape Salon (2020), and several editions of the International Landscape Event in Villa Clara. His international presence includes the XXII International Exhibition of the MundoArti Virtual Museum in Valencia, Spain (2024). He is also actively involved in the A Degüello artist collective based in Cienfuegos, contributing to collaborative and community-based artistic projects.
Darián Gallardo's work stands out for its versatility, rooted in Cuban culture while engaging contemporary global dialogues in the visual arts.
Curriculum
Darián Alejandro Gallardo Crespo (b. 1999, Cienfuegos, Cuba) is a contemporary Cuban visual artist whose work explores narrative, identity, and experimentation across painting and drawing. He graduated with honors from the University of the Arts (ISA), Havana, in 2023, and previously from the Benny Moré Art School in Cienfuegos.
His practice combines academic training with personal experiences, including military service, which informs much of his expressive visual language. In 2020, he earned second place in the Tu Animado Favorito contest by Juan Padrón. His early solo project Reminiscencias (2018) marked the beginning of an ongoing dialogue between memory, space, and image.
Gallardo has participated in exhibitions such as the 15th Havana Biennial (2024), Post-it 10 at Galería Galiano (2023), and the MundoArti International Virtual Museum (Spain, 2024). He is a member of the A Degüello collective and continues to develop a practice rooted in Cuban culture while engaging contemporary artistic discourse.
2024
• Colaterial Exhibition, 15th Havana Biennial, ARTEMÓRFOSIS 8, 11th Street No. 912 between 6 and 8, El Vedado, Havana, Cuba.
• Unknown Identity, Galería L, Havana, Cuba.
• Malayerba. Second Edition, White Hall Gallery of the Young Art Fund, Havana, Cuba.
• 22nd International Exhibition, MundoArti Virtual Museum, Summer 2024, Valencia, Spain.
2023
• Post-it 10, Galiano Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
2020
• 25th Edition of the National Landscape Salon Leopoldo Romañach, Espacio 34 Gallery, Varadero, Cuba.
2018
• Graduation Hall, Provincial Center for Visual Arts, Cienfuegos, Cuba.
2017
• 32nd Provincial Salon "5 de Septiembre", Provincial Council of Visual Arts, Cienfuegos, Cuba.
• Apnea, A Degüello Group, Provincial Center for Visual Arts, Cienfuegos, Cuba.
• Iceberg, A Degüello Group, Benny Moré Cultural Center, Cienfuegos, Cuba.
• 18th International Landscape Event (Ramón’s Event), Seibabo River, Villa Clara, Cuba.
2016
• 17th International Landscape Event (Ramón’s Event), Seibabo River, Villa Clara, Cuba.
