Rafael Pérez Alonso

Rafael Pérez Alonso (b. 1965, Havana, Cuba) is a self-taught Cuban visual artist whose career reflects creativity, resilience, and a deep engagement with contemporary Cuban culture. Over the years, he has established himself as a notable figure in the Cuban contemporary art scene, not only as an artist but also as a cultural promoter. He is the founder of La Lavandería, a gallery and workshop project dedicated to fostering dialogue and experimentation within the visual arts.

Pérez Alonso has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Cuba and abroad, showcasing the diversity and evolution of his work. His group exhibitions include El Salón de la Ciudad (2001), the 4th Digital Art Salon at the Pablo de la Torriente Brau Cultural Center, Salón de la Ciudad (2002), Kcho y sus invitados at the Latin American School of Medical Sciences, and ¡Qué joven es mi equipo de pelota! presented during the XV Intercontinental Baseball Cup at Havana’s Estadio Latinoamericano.

Throughout his career, Rafael Pérez Alonso has received important awards and distinctions that recognize his artistic contribution. In 2002, he won the Grand Prize at the Salón de la Ciudad organized by the Provincial Center of Visual Arts and Design in Havana. In 2006, he earned an Honorable Mention at the First Biennial of the Americas in Tijuana, Mexico, and in 2009 he was granted the Distinción Gitana Tropical in Havana, highlighting his impact on Cuban cultural life.

Through his practice, Rafael Pérez Alonso blends experimentation and cultural commentary, contributing to the vitality and richness of Cuban contemporary visual arts. His work, rooted in Havana yet projected internationally, continues to resonate with audiences, critics, and collectors alike.

(Photo taken from the artist’s Instagram profile)