Cuban Fine Art Photography Gallery
For a number of years this website supported and represented the artistic work of Cuban photographers. Content is from the site's 2004 archived pages offering just a glimpse of what this gallery provided to visitors and collectors.
information for gallerists
cubangallery.net supports the artistic work of Cuban photographers. It offers to target a high quality of artwork, limited editions, vintage, etc. Many of the artworks here are new for art experts.
Our on-line gallery is in permanent contact with the represented artists. cubangallery.net would like to help international galleries to come in contact with these artists.
cuban fine art photography
about us
cubangallery.net is a on-line art space for some of the best cuban photographers; emerging and known artists.
cubangallery.net is open to contemporary art and offers to his visitors high art quality and a wide outlook on contemporary photography. Contemporary cuban art is influenced by international trends but is still strongly enriched with the different cultures that live together in the isle.
Cuban art is strongly attractive for art specialists and we'd like to offer to collectors, art dealers and keens on art a preview of the best work of cuban photography.
Our purpose is to offer to an international public and collectors the chance to be in touch with contemporary cuban art. To reach a larger community of artists, galleries, collectors and educators, we have partnered with a new data science company to provide us with a high tech advantage through big science. A large database of interested parties, photographic catalogs of artists, galleries, and schools, have been organized to be searchable by any interested party. This enables the discovery and promotion of individual artists and individual photographic works, permitting the sharing of previously obscure works in a way that can benefit all our our partners.
"The world is sometimes so very small. I am a huge fan of this unique gallery and of Cuba. My good friend and Louisiana maritime attorney, Steve Gordon, once ran a charter business from the island and is very familiar with the musical culture and amazing art that springs from that place. It's also a wonderful coincidence that a my lawyer buddy from New Orleans would also have a strong interest in Cuban art displayed in an Italian gallery. Kind of gobsmacks me!" Linda Jenks
sale condition
All prints in the gallery are currently available.
Prints sizes are approximate, and represent the paper size used to make the prints.
Pricing
Prices are not subject to change but prices increase as editions sell out.
Prices not include shipping.
Prints must be prepaid with personal checks, money orders, cashiers checks or cash in euro or usd.
When ordering, please send us a mail with the code of the print that you would like to purchase and your name, complete shipping address, and phone number.
Payment
We accept personal checks, money orders, cashiers checks or cash in euro or usd.
Payment must be received in full before your order is shipped.
Please send payment to:
Reinaldo Alvarez
Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, Ag. n. 5000,
Via Mentana 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy
c/c: 28199
ABI: 01005
CAB: 11300
international: IBAN IT42 Z010 0511 3000 0000 0028 199, SWIFT BIC BNLIITRR
in Italy: Z01005 11300 000000028199
Shipping
All orders are professionally packaged by the author or by cubangallery.net. Shipping charges are additional.
All purchases will be shipped by DHL, UPS or FedEx.
If you would like to purchase a print, from one of our artist, not present in cubangallery.net now, please inquire for information.
f.a.q.
(frequently ask questions)
1- How do I buy artwork from cubangallery.net?
2- How can I pay?
3- How long does it take before I receive my artwork?
4- How do you ship my order?
5- How will the artwork be packed?
6- What is the return policy?
7- What is your contact address?
8- What about your privace policy?
1- There are several ways to purchase from us. When ordering, please send us a mail to gallery@cubangallery.netwith the code of the print that you would like to purchase and your name, complete shipping address, and phone number.
Prints must be prepaid with personal checks, money orders, cashiers checks or cash in euro or usd.
2- You can do it with personal checks, money orders, cashiers checks or cash in euro or usd.
3 - After we receive the payment, this will depend on the location of your address, but we estimate within one or two weeks.
4 - All purchases will be shipped by DHL, UPS or FedEx.
5 - Photograph will be packed inside boxes, but occasionally digital print will be shipped rolled inside a tube.
6 - You may contact us to return your purchase for any reason within 15 days of the receivement. We accept the prints back if they are in like-new condition, in this case we will refund the purchase price. Buyer is responsible for payment of return shipping.
You must return the original box intact.
7 - Our contact address is:
Reinaldo Alvarez
cubangallery.net
Via Anguissola 26, 20146, Milan, Italy.
8 - We take your privacy very seriously, we won't share your personal information with anyone.
artists
Lissette Solorzano
Elio Delgado
René Peña
Raúl Cañibano
Abelardo Rodriguez
Jorge Gavilondo
Gonzo González
Deborah Nofret
Nelkis Ramírez
Nadalito
José Julián Martí
Aliana Rodríguez
Federico Reiners (Freddy)
Humberto Mayol
Reinaldo Alvarez
Ramón Pacheco
De Armas
Luis Ramón Bruzón
Alberto Arcos
Alejandro Azcuy
Cristina Padura
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Elio Delgado
© Elio Delgado Elio Delgado Valdés, 17 de enero de 1962. Fotorreportero y fotógrafo publicitario, free lance.
Selección de exposiciones personales 2004 - Danzas y Ritos, Museo Casa de Africa, Cuba.
2003 - Fotoseptiembre 2003, Chiapas, México. |
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Aliana Rodriguez Exposiciones Personales 2005 - “Bautismo de Luz”, Teatro Bauta, Cuba.
2005 - 4to Salón de Artes plásticas Waldo Luís Rodríguez, Cuba. |
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Nelkis Ramírez Nelkis Leonor Ramírez Conde (27 de Mayo de 1959), Cuba.
2005 - La Dulce Habana, Galería Ciudades del Mundo, La Habana, Cuba.
2005 - Me han estremecido un montón de mujeres, Galería Majadahonda del Centro Pablo de la Torriente Brau , La Habana, Cuba.
- Premio Foto del Día de la KODAK, 22 de Octubre del 2002. La foto fue expuesta en el Times Square Gallery, Nueva York, USA. |
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Armando Andres De Armas Gil
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"El litoral" 2003 code: AG001
33 x 48 cm (A3) limited edition: 4/5 100.00 € |
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"San Carlos de la Cabaņa" 2003 code: AG002
33 x 48 cm (A3) limited edition: 4/6 100.00 € |
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"La Gaviota" 2003 code: AG003
33 x 48 cm (A3) limited edition: 3/5 100.00 € |
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"Atardecer en el Vedado" 2003 code: AG004
33 x 48 cm (A3) limited edition: 2/5 100.00 € |
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He is a Senior Scientist with a Doctorate degree in Biological Sciences, has published over 100 articles in specialized scientific journals, and is the recipient of national and international distinctions and awards. His love affair with photography began as a boy using his father’s Leica C, and since very young his attention was drawn mainly to blank and white urban documentary photography. High-resolution digital photography, with its possibilities to capture and evaluate images instantly, stimulated a more intense and systematic stage in Jorge’s photographic work. Jorge has built in under four years an impressive archive of 50 000 + photos, many of Cuba and its people, but also shot in other parts of the world. Color is now playing an important role in his photographic production, and his thematic interests have been recently expanded to include ballet and dance. Jorge V. Gavilondo is a member of the Fondo Cubano de la Imagen Fotografica (Cuban Fund for the Photographic Image). He has lectured on Digital Photography in international courses developed at the “José Martí ” International Journalism Institute in Havana. Jorge’s images are in private collections in Cuba, Mexico and the United States. |
More Background On CubanGallery.net
CubanGallery.net was an online platform that showcased and supported the work of Cuba’s leading fine-art photographers. Operating primarily in the early 2000s, the site functioned as both a virtual gallery and an international marketplace for limited-edition Cuban photography prints. Its goal was to connect Cuban artists—many of whom had limited access to global markets—with international collectors, gallerists, and curators seeking authentic representations of contemporary Cuban life.
By combining the accessibility of digital media with the artistic integrity of traditional photography, CubanGallery.net became an important online space for collectors and art professionals interested in Cuba’s evolving visual culture. It offered a rare window into the island’s photographic traditions, spanning documentary, portrait, street, and conceptual styles.
Founding Vision and Mission
CubanGallery.net was founded to “support the artistic work of Cuban photographers,” with a commitment to high-quality, limited-edition, and vintage prints. It provided a direct platform for artists who were emerging from Cuba’s vibrant but often economically constrained art scene. Its stated purpose was to help international galleries and collectors connect directly with Cuban photographers, fostering collaboration and fair representation across borders.
The gallery’s mission statement reflected both artistic and technological ambition. It partnered with a data science company to build a searchable database of artists, galleries, schools, and collectors—a forward-thinking move at the time. This integration of technology allowed for the discovery and promotion of individual works that might otherwise remain unseen, effectively modernizing access to Cuban art.
Location and Operations
Although the gallery’s thematic focus was Cuban, its administrative operations were based in Milan and Pavia, Italy. Payments were managed through the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro in Pavia, and correspondence listed an address in Via Anguissola 26, Milan. The gallery’s founder and curator, Reinaldo Álvarez, was central to its operations and personally managed artist relationships and shipments. This cross-border model—artists in Cuba, administration in Italy—allowed the site to bypass certain logistical challenges while maintaining strong authenticity and credibility within the international art community.
All prints were professionally packaged and shipped via DHL, UPS, or FedEx, underscoring the gallery’s commitment to professionalism and collector standards. Purchases were handled through secure methods (checks, money orders, or wire transfers), with all works signed, numbered, and produced in limited runs.
Artists Represented
CubanGallery.net hosted an impressive roster of photographers, including both established and emerging artists. Among them were:
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Lissette Solórzano – Known for her haunting black-and-white series documenting urban life and social rituals in Havana.
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Elio Delgado Valdés – A photojournalist and advertising photographer who exhibited internationally, including in Cuba, Mexico, and the U.S.
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René Peña – A celebrated figure whose introspective, often surreal compositions explored race, identity, and post-revolutionary modernity.
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Raúl Cañibano – One of Cuba’s most widely recognized documentary photographers, capturing rural life and spiritual traditions.
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Abelardo Rodríguez, Jorge Gavilondo, Humberto Mayol, Nelkis Ramírez, Aliana Rodríguez, and Armando de Armas, among others.
The site gave each artist a dedicated section featuring exhibition history, selected works, and detailed print specifications. This transparency around editions and pricing made it attractive to serious collectors, curators, and institutions seeking provenance.
Spotlight on Notable Artists
Elio Delgado
Born in 1962, Delgado was both a freelance photojournalist and advertising photographer. His exhibitions stretched from Cuba’s Museo Casa de África to the Paterson Museum in New Jersey. His images, such as “Niños del Convento” and “Pionero,” captured the essence of daily Cuban life in the early 2000s with empathetic realism. Delgado’s work bridged commercial precision with documentary intimacy.
Nelkis Ramírez
Nelkis Leonor Ramírez Conde was among the gallery’s most accomplished contributors. Her acclaimed “Escenas Habaneras” series documented the changing face of Havana through digitally composed photo-paintings. Ramírez exhibited widely across Cuba and internationally, from the Galería del Hotel Telégrafo to New York’s Times Square Kodak Gallery, where her work earned a Kodak Photo of the Day Award in 2002. Her pieces often centered on Havana’s light, architecture, and resilience, balancing nostalgia with a modern sensibility.
Jorge Gavilondo
A fascinating figure, Gavilondo was both a biological scientist and a photographer, publishing over 100 scientific papers while cultivating a parallel artistic career. His photography—often shot with a Leica inherited from his father—combined technical precision with humanistic storytelling. His massive archive of over 50,000 images documented Cuba’s people, streets, and ballet scenes. Gavilondo’s dual identity as a scientist-artist underscored CubanGallery.net’s interdisciplinary reach.
The Cuban Photographic Tradition
CubanGallery.net operated during a period of cultural dynamism in Cuba. The early 2000s marked a golden era of Cuban photography, as artists gained access to digital tools and international exhibitions following decades of isolation. The gallery’s contributors reflected the diversity of Cuban experience—urban and rural, historical and futuristic, joyous and melancholic.
Cuban photography is unique in its blend of revolutionary history, Afro-Cuban spirituality, and humanistic observation. Artists like Peña and Cañibano captured the dignity of daily life, while Ramírez and Solórzano used digital techniques to reinterpret memory and myth. By curating these perspectives for an online audience, CubanGallery.net democratized access to a scene that had long been underrepresented in Western art markets.
Technical and Artistic Standards
Every print on CubanGallery.net was available in limited editions, often between three and six copies, printed on high-quality paper and signed by the artist. Prices started at approximately €100 per print, increasing as editions sold out. Works were categorized by medium—gelatin silver prints or digital pigment prints—reflecting both analog traditions and new digital experimentation.
The gallery took great care in maintaining print integrity. It described its pieces as “professionally packaged by the author or by cubangallery.net,” and guaranteed replacements or refunds within 15 days for returns in original condition. This was rare for early online art marketplaces, underscoring its credibility and customer-first philosophy.
Cultural and Social Impact
CubanGallery.net played a cultural role beyond mere commerce. It presented Cuba’s photographers not as curiosities or documentarians of hardship, but as sophisticated artists contributing to the global conversation on photography and identity. For many visitors, it was the first time they could view and purchase authentic Cuban fine art without intermediaries or gallery markups.
It also supported a network effect: by digitally archiving and categorizing works, the site helped preserve photographic heritage that might otherwise have been lost. This was especially significant given Cuba’s limited digital infrastructure at the time.
The inclusion of personal testimonials—such as one visitor describing her fascination with the gallery’s Cuban-Italian connection—illustrated how deeply the site resonated with an international audience of collectors and enthusiasts.
Press Coverage and Reception
Although CubanGallery.net predated the rise of social media, it was frequently referenced by cultural forums and art blogs focused on Latin American photography and diasporic creativity. Collectors valued its professional presentation, transparent pricing, and the emotional power of its curated imagery. The platform was particularly praised for bringing female Cuban photographers, such as Nelkis Ramírez and Aliana Rodríguez, into the global spotlight at a time when their visibility was limited.
Within Cuba’s arts community, the site represented a symbolic milestone—the proof that Cuban artists could reach the world digitally, without relying solely on state-sponsored exhibitions or cultural intermediaries.
Legacy and Continuation
By 2005, CubanGallery.net’s online activity began to wind down, and the domain later became an archival reference to its early-2000s exhibitions. However, its influence endured through the careers it helped elevate. Artists such as Raúl Cañibano, Humberto Mayol, and Lissette Solórzano went on to exhibit internationally, featured in institutions like the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York and the Getty Museum’s Latin American collections.
Today, the site is remembered not only as a gallery but as a cultural bridge—a precursor to modern digital art platforms that blend accessibility, authenticity, and international outreach.
CubanGallery.net stands as a testament to the early potential of the internet as a democratizing tool for art. It brought together Cuban photographers, Italian administrators, and global collectors in a unified platform that celebrated artistry over politics. By highlighting the richness and complexity of Cuban visual storytelling, it helped expand the world’s understanding of Cuban identity through imagery rather than ideology.
Even as the site itself now exists only in archived form, its legacy lives on in the careers of its artists and the growing global appreciation for Cuban fine-art photography—a movement it helped introduce to the wider world.
