EN 
ES 
IT 
FR 
ZH 
PT Lester Alvarez
Camagüey, Cuba, 1984
The early work of Lester Alvarez (Camagüey, Cuba, 1984) is marked by a very peculiar sense of introspection. His pieces, whether paintings, objects, videos or installations, would be indebted to a symbolism of Western heritage. Both issues would make his work tremendously restrained and silent, a sort of essay on the existential. Subsequently, however, Lester has been incorporating a contextual variable that anchors his discourse in a much more immediate territory, namely, that of today's Cuba and its most pressing problems. To this should be added a growing collaborative interest, especially with vulnerable people and spaces.
Lester finished his higher education at the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) in 2011. From that moment on, he began to develop a career as a creator that has offered him the possibility of exhibiting solo and participating in numerous collective projects. Among his most outstanding personal exhibitions are: "La verdadera noche" (Bipersonal with José Ramón Ais), at Azkuna Zentroa, Bilbao, Spain; "Estado de silencio", held at El Apartamento and "La mano generosa" at Servando Gallery, both in Havana, Cuba. On the other hand, we have his group exhibitions, among them: "Ánima. De la excepción a la memoria", Centeya Cultural Center, Buenos Aires, Argentina; "Illness Has a Colour" (Collateral to the XIII Havana Biennial), El Apartamento - Estudio 50, Havana, Cuba; "El silencio que precede la tormenta", Parque Histórico Militar Morro-Cabaña, Havana, Cuba; "La parte maldita", Norwegian Embassy in Cuba and "Isole", Padru Cultural Center, Sardinia, Italy.
His work has been awarded prizes such as the Vita Activa Residency, granted by the Hannah Arendt International Institute of Artivism (INSTAR), Havana, Cuba; the Next Generation Award, from the Prince Claus Fund, Havana, Cuba. Havana, Cuba; the Next Generation Award, from the Prince Claus Fund, Havana, Cuba; the Tengo Frío Artist Group Scholarship, from Emerson College in England and the first prize at the IX International Painting Biennial ISOLE, Sardinia, Italy. He is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Film and Audiovisual Archive at Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola, Basque Country, Spain.
curriculum
studies
2019-2020
Master in Film and audiovisual archive, Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola, Tabakalera. Basque Country, Spain.
2011
Faculty of Plastic Arts of the Higher Institute of Art (ISA). Havana, Cuba.
2004
Provincial Academy of Plastic Arts of Camagüey. Camagüey, Cuba.
personal exhibitions
2019
The real night (Bipersonal with José Ramón Ais), Azkuna Zentroa. Bilbao, Spain.
2018
Waiting for the architect (Bipersonal with Ezequiel O. Suárez), A veces Espacio de arte. Havana, Cuba.
2016
Silent state, The Apartment. Havana, Cuba.
2015
The generous hand, Servando Gallery. Havana, Cuba.
2013
Journey to Cuba by Thomas MertonLuz y Oficios Gallery, Provincial Center of Plastic Arts and Design. Havana, Cuba.
2011
Figulina, Higher Institute of Art (ISA). Havana, Cuba.
2009
InventoryLudwig Foundation of Cuba. Havana, Cuba.
2004
The growing roomhouse of the artist. Camagüey, Cuba.
The generous hand, Servando Gallery. Havana, Cuba.
2013
Journey to Cuba by Thomas MertonLuz y Oficios Gallery, Provincial Center of Plastic Arts and Design. Havana, Cuba.
2011
Figulina, Higher Institute of Art (ISA). Havana, Cuba.
2009
InventoryLudwig Foundation of Cuba. Havana, Cuba.
2004
The growing roomhouse of the artist. Camagüey, Cuba.
collective exhibitions
Anima. From exception to memoryCenteya Cultural Center. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Illness Has a Color. Collateral to the XIII Havana Biennial. The Apartment - Studio 50. Havana, Cuba.
From a Rockefeller fan to a disciple of Kruchev (Stories told by artists), private residence. Havana Cuba.
2018
Bodies Mades /Bodies made, Havana Arsenal. Havana, Cuba.
Moments of clarity, Center for the Development of Visual Arts (CDAV). Havana, Cuba.
2017
Watchtower, Taller Gorría-El Apartamento Gallery. Havana, Cuba.
A collaborative trial. VI Contemporary Cuban Art Salon. Center for the Development of Visual Arts (CDAV). Havana, Cuba.
Quiet lifeCenter for the Development of Visual Arts (CDAV). Havana, Cuba.
HerbariaCenter for the Development of Visual Arts (CDAV). Havana, Cuba.
PArC 2017 Contemporary Art Fair, Museum of Contemporary Art of Lima. Lima, Peru.
1957 Chevy Apparition, Market Gallery. Glasgow, United Kingdom.
2016
The Lost Hours, Artist by Artist, Carlos Garaicoa Studio. Havana, Cuba.
2015
Anima: preamble 1Ibsen Zone Residence. Havana, Cuba.
Pulse. Collateral to the XII Havana Biennial, Gallery L. Havana, Cuba.
2009-Deriva-2013. Collateral to the XII Havana Biennial, Félix Varela Cultural Center. Havana, Cuba.
Karaoke. Collateral to the XII Havana Biennial, El Apartamento Project. Havana, Cuba.
The silence that precedes the storm. Collateral to the XII Havana Biennial, Morro-Cabaña Military Historical Park. Havana, Cuba.
The rabid toy. Fucina des artistas. Havana, Cuba.
2014
x 'l 2. 6th Contemporary Cuban Art Salon, Center for the Development of Visual Arts (CDAV). Havana, Cuba.
Bread and CircusHigher Institute of Art (ISA). Havana, Cuba.
In this place, at this moment... Servando Gallery. Havana, Cuba.
2013
The cursed partEmbassy of Norway in Cuba. Havana, Cuba.
Flows and InfluencesSanta Barbara Cultural Center. Stockholm, Sweden.
2012
Zone. Collateral to the XI Havana Biennial, Casa de la Comedia. Havana, Cuba.
Heavy and Happy painters. Collateral to the XI Havana Biennial, San Carlos de La Cabaña Fortress. Havana, Cuba.
2011
IsoleCultural Center of Padru. Sardinia, Italy.
It is not the absenceCuba Pavilion. Havana, Cuba.
The tips of the roseCenter for the Development of Visual Arts (CDAV). Havana, Cuba.
DoseProvincial Council of Plastic Arts of Camagüey. Camagüey, Cuba.
2010
Ex IndumentisEl Carmelo Church. Havana, Cuba. Thoughtful PaintingARTE+ Project, Casa de la Cultura de Plaza. Havana, Cuba.
Parables of waterHanson Street Project Space, Wasps Artists' Studios. Glasgow, Scotland.
Fifth day, Rosario Church. Havana, Cuba.
Pump, Wifredo Lam Contemporary Art Center. Havana, Cuba.
SporesCuba Pavilion. Havana, Cuba.
2009
Temporary home, Habana Gallery. Havana, Cuba.
2008
AlsoAlternative Space. Havana, Cuba. Territorial referencesMuelle # 3 Avenida del Puerto. Havana, Cuba.
2/5Higher Institute of Art (ISA). Havana, Cuba.
2007
1/5, Higher Institute of Art (ISA). Havana, Cuba. Constructed situation, Higher Institute of Art (ISA). Havana, Cuba.
Watchtower, Taller Gorría-El Apartamento Gallery. Havana, Cuba.
A collaborative trial. VI Contemporary Cuban Art Salon. Center for the Development of Visual Arts (CDAV). Havana, Cuba.
Quiet lifeCenter for the Development of Visual Arts (CDAV). Havana, Cuba.
HerbariaCenter for the Development of Visual Arts (CDAV). Havana, Cuba.
PArC 2017 Contemporary Art Fair, Museum of Contemporary Art of Lima. Lima, Peru.
1957 Chevy Apparition, Market Gallery. Glasgow, United Kingdom.
2016
The Lost Hours, Artist by Artist, Carlos Garaicoa Studio. Havana, Cuba.
2015
Anima: preamble 1Ibsen Zone Residence. Havana, Cuba.
Pulse. Collateral to the XII Havana Biennial, Gallery L. Havana, Cuba.
2009-Deriva-2013. Collateral to the XII Havana Biennial, Félix Varela Cultural Center. Havana, Cuba.
Karaoke. Collateral to the XII Havana Biennial, El Apartamento Project. Havana, Cuba.
The silence that precedes the storm. Collateral to the XII Havana Biennial, Morro-Cabaña Military Historical Park. Havana, Cuba.
The rabid toy. Fucina des artistas. Havana, Cuba.
2014
x 'l 2. 6th Contemporary Cuban Art Salon, Center for the Development of Visual Arts (CDAV). Havana, Cuba.
Bread and CircusHigher Institute of Art (ISA). Havana, Cuba.
In this place, at this moment... Servando Gallery. Havana, Cuba.
2013
The cursed partEmbassy of Norway in Cuba. Havana, Cuba.
Flows and InfluencesSanta Barbara Cultural Center. Stockholm, Sweden.
2012
Zone. Collateral to the XI Havana Biennial, Casa de la Comedia. Havana, Cuba.
Heavy and Happy painters. Collateral to the XI Havana Biennial, San Carlos de La Cabaña Fortress. Havana, Cuba.
2011
IsoleCultural Center of Padru. Sardinia, Italy.
It is not the absenceCuba Pavilion. Havana, Cuba.
The tips of the roseCenter for the Development of Visual Arts (CDAV). Havana, Cuba.
DoseProvincial Council of Plastic Arts of Camagüey. Camagüey, Cuba.
2010
Ex IndumentisEl Carmelo Church. Havana, Cuba. Thoughtful PaintingARTE+ Project, Casa de la Cultura de Plaza. Havana, Cuba.
Parables of waterHanson Street Project Space, Wasps Artists' Studios. Glasgow, Scotland.
Fifth day, Rosario Church. Havana, Cuba.
Pump, Wifredo Lam Contemporary Art Center. Havana, Cuba.
SporesCuba Pavilion. Havana, Cuba.
2009
Temporary home, Habana Gallery. Havana, Cuba.
2008
AlsoAlternative Space. Havana, Cuba. Territorial referencesMuelle # 3 Avenida del Puerto. Havana, Cuba.
2/5Higher Institute of Art (ISA). Havana, Cuba.
2007
1/5, Higher Institute of Art (ISA). Havana, Cuba. Constructed situation, Higher Institute of Art (ISA). Havana, Cuba.
works
La Maleza: Camphor, 2015-2016
Carving and pyrography on reclaimed wood
18.8 x 11.8 x 2.8 cm (6.5 x 4.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 in.)
Ed. 1/3 + 2 P/A
La Maleza: Grammar of Freedom, 2015-2016
Carving and pyrography on reclaimed wood
23.2 x 15.8 x 2.5 cm (9.5 x 4.5 x 4.5 in.)
Ed. 1/3 + 2 P/A
La Maleza: The Wound in the Wood, 2015-2016
Carving and pyrography on reclaimed wood
31.8 x 22.5 x 2 cm
Ed. 1/3 + 2 P/A
La Maleza: Camphor, 2015-2016
Carving and pyrography on reclaimed wood
18.8 x 11.8 x 2.8 cm (6.5 x 4.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 in.)
Ed. 1/3 + 2 P/A
La Maleza: Grammar of Freedom, 2015-2016
Carving and pyrography on reclaimed wood
23.2 x 15.8 x 2.5 cm (9.5 x 4.5 x 4.5 in.)
Ed. 1/3 + 2 P/A
La Maleza: The Wound in the Wood, 2015-2016
Carving and pyrography on reclaimed wood
31.8 x 22.5 x 2 cm
Ed. 1/3 + 2 P/A