Tomas Sanchez

Tomás Sánchez was born on May 22, 1948 in Aguada de Pasajeros, in the province of Cienfuegos, Cuba. At the age of 16, he moved to Havana to study painting at the San Alejandro National Academy of Fine Arts in 1964. Best known for his detailed and idealized nature scenes, his work is characterized by its contemporary interpretation of landscape painting. Sánchez manages to depict the sociopolitical landscape of Cuba through his intricately rendered waterfalls, islands, and plant life, exploring issues of globalization and spirituality in the face of overwhelming change. Although best recognized for his landscapes (including his majestic landfills), his career is that of a prolific artist who has made incursions into painting, engraving, sculpture and photography. In 1980 he won the First Prize at the XIX Edition of the International Prize of Drawing Joan Miró, for his work Desde las aguas blancas, which launched his international career. The following year, he had an exhibition at the Joan Miró Foundation, Centre of Contemporary Art in Barcelona, Spain. Other awards include the National Prize for Painting. Havana Biennial (1984); Medal of V American Biennial of Graphic Art, Cali, Colombia (1986); and Honorable Mention. International Painting Biennial, Cuenca, Ecuador (1987). His work has been exhibited in over 30 countries. Among his most significant personal exhibitions include: Tomás Sánchez. Retrospective at the National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba (1985); Tomás Sánchez. Different Worlds at the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, (1996). In May 2008, Sánchez celebrated his 60th birthday with a big show at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Monterrey Mexico.