
"I believe that it is the individual who must be an activist, not art. I believe more in art as a form of concern than as an active gesture."
1. BIOGRAPHY
Carlos Garaicoa studied painting at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana (1989–1994), following earlier studies in thermodynamics. His practice establishes a sustained dialogue between art and urban space, through which he examines the social and political structures of cities as manifested in architecture. Working with a multidisciplinary approach, Garaicoa investigates architecture, urbanism, and history as cultural and ideological constructs. Together with his wife, he founded the artist-in-residence project Artista x Artista in Havana. Carlos Garaicoa has presented solo exhibitions at major international institutions such as Usina del Arte, Pernambuco (2025); Galleria Continua, Paris Marais (2025); Galería Filomena Soares, Lisbon (2025); Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno (CAAM), Gran Canaria, and Es Baluard Museu d’Art Contemporani de Palma, Spain (2024); Rocca Maggiore, Assisi (2024); Peabody Essex Museum, Salem (2021); SCAD Museum of Art, Savannah (2020); Lunds Konsthall and Skissernas Museum, Lund (2019); Parasol Unit Foundation, London (2018); Fondazione Merz, Turin (2017); MAAT, Lisbon (2017); Azkuna Zentroa, Bilbao (2017); Museum Villa Stuck, Munich (2016); Nasjonalmuseet, Oslo (2015); CA2M Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo, Madrid (2014); and Fundación Botín, Santander (2014), among others. His work has also been featured in numerous group exhibitions at institutions and international events including the Venice Biennale (2005, 2009); documenta 11, Kassel (2002); Tate Modern, London (2011); Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York (2010, 2011); Centre Pompidou, Paris (2012); Pérez Art Museum Miami (2025); Museo del Barrio, New York (2019); MAAT, Lisbon (2019); MAXXI, Rome (2017); Bronx Museum of the Arts, New York (2017); Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto (2017); Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (2010, 2017); Havana Biennial (multiple editions); and São Paulo Biennial (2010), among many others.
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Garaicoa’s works are included in major public and private collections such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; Tate Modern, London; Centre Pompidou, Paris; Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid; Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles; Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto; Dallas Museum of Art; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana; and Fundación La Caixa, Barcelona. In 2021, Carlos Garaicoa was awarded the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) Prize. He received the XXXIX International Prize for Contemporary Art from the Prince Pierre of Monaco Foundation in 2005, as well as the Katherine S. Marmor Award in Los Angeles.
2. WORK SELECTION
3. PROGRAM AT THE GALLERY
4. INSTITUTIONAL PROJECTS
CAAM, 2024
SCAD, 2021
Fondazione Merz, 2017
MAAT, 2017
Bilbao, 2017
Museum Villa Stuck, 2016
For me, in Cuba, the city emerged as the best space for establishing a more immediate dialogue with the viewer. That remained at the genesis of my work: understanding that it is a setting in which one can explore without prejudice and where all languages are at hand and can be reactivated… all the disciplines I employ, I find in the city.
I firmly believe in that space of communion between the viewer and the creator. Art also functions as catharsis, as a momentary cure, as a space in which to broaden horizons.
5. VIDEOS
2026
Extramuros – Capítulo 52: Carlos Garaicoa
Señal Colombia
2025
Carlos Garaicoa
Usina de Arte
2024
Exposición de Carlos Garaicoa
CAAM Gran Canaria
2022
Carlos Garaicoa on Partitura
Peabody Essex Museum
2014
Exhibition Apparent Order by Artist Carlos Garaicoa
Fundación Botín





