GAVIN
BENJAMIN
Edición de Cuba
Gavin Benjamin is a multidisciplinary artist whose work masterfully intertwines analog photography, appropriated imagery, collage, paint, and varnish to create opulent, textured compositions. Drawing inspiration from baroque traditions, his art bridges the sumptuous aesthetics of the past with provocative explorations of contemporary culture. By layering historical references with modern critiques, Benjamin creates a dialogue that is both timeless and urgently relevant.
Born in Guyana, South America, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Benjamin earned his BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Early in his career, he honed his craft under the mentorship of legendary portrait photographer Arnold Newman. He further developed his expertise as a black-and-white and color printer at LTI and Baboo Color Labs, before entering the commercial photography world through roles at Edge Reps and Exposure NY. As a freelance production coordinator and photo editor, he contributed to renowned brands and publications, including Kenneth Cole Productions, Esquire, Hachette Filipacchi Media, and Good Housekeeping.
Benjamin’s artistic vision is deeply influenced by the 15th- to 17th-century Dutch and Italian masters, whose works captivate him with their romantic, brooding atmospheres, dramatic chiaroscuro, and rich, luxurious palettes. “I am drawn to the juxtaposition of objects and compositions that come together to tell a story,” he reflects, infusing his own pieces with a similar sense of narrative and emotional depth.
Through his work, Benjamin investigates the intersections of culture, media, politics, fashion, and design, addressing the complexities of being a man of color in America. His pieces reflect a multifaceted exploration of identity: “My work includes everything I love and everything I’m challenged by. It’s honest, curious, bright, thoughtful—and sometimes dark. It embodies all the reasons I became an artist in the first place.”
Benjamin’s art has been exhibited in prestigious venues and fairs, including Slick Paris, Sotheby’s NY, the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, Art Hamptons, the Affordable Art Fair, Scope Miami, Palm Beach Modern, Context Miami, Context NY, Art Silicon Valley, and the LA Art Show.
A true innovator, Benjamin continues to captivate audiences with his ability to blend the opulence of art history with the complexities of modern life, offering a body of work that is as visually compelling as it is intellectually and emotionally resonant.
Sponsored by:
Artist Statement:
The National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana has an extensive collection of Flemish and Belgian paintings that date between the Sixteenth and Nineteenth centuries. I was surprised to find this work in Cuba, but delighted as I have long had a fascination with the sumptuousness of Danish still life traditions, and I often incorporate recognizable elements into my own work. Series such as Old World Luxuries (2009), It Might as Well Be Spring (2011), Passages (2021), and especially Heads of State (2020-ongoing) incorporate the luxuries, color palettes, and traditions of old masters.
Heads of State is a series of collage work that draws reference from my family and friends, mixing pop culture references and with luxury goods such as Swarovski crystals and pearl beads. Coming from an immigrant family, and growing up in New York City, I am no stranger to the racial hierarchies that exist within our society. Heads of State is meant to uplift my family and friends, situating them within this world of luxury that historically they have been shut out of.
This new body of work, an extension of Heads of State, uses the Flemish and Belgian collection of paintings from the National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana as a starting point. I plan to create 13 pieces, each 48 x 36 x 2 in. These new pieces recall the traditions of Sixteenth century portraiture, replacing the figure with Black men and women. In this new series, I probe our consciousness to confront viewers with the questions: How would our perceptions of history change if we saw images of Black wealth? How can we dismantle colonialism with a different rendering of Black figuration? Can we subvert current notions of race through imagery and recontextualization?
By selecting work from the National Museum of Fine Art’s collection, I am intentionally creating a dialog between the colonialist history of Cuba’s past, with the glossy consumerism of the future.
Palacio Del Conde de Lombillo
CUBA
BELLEZA
HISTORIA
Edición de Cuba
Conexión
provide a fresh perspective on how history, identity, and migration shape cultural expression. More than just a study of Cuba, it is a reflection of the broader human experience. Through our art, we are uniquely positioned to tell this story.
By documenting Cuba’s people, arts, and traditions, this project will
The Project’s Impact
Exploring Art Through a Global Lens: Gavin’s influences from Baroque traditions complement Tariq’s documentary realism. This creates a compelling dialogue in exploring Cuba’s vibrant artistic and cultural landscape—from its historic architecture to its dynamic contemporary art scene.
Art as Storytelling & Advocacy: Tariq’s documentary photography and filmmaking capture lived experiences and social narratives. Gavin’s multimedia work, on the other hand, interrogates identity, media, and history. Together, our artistic approaches bring depth to this project, offering a nuanced portrayal of Cuba’s complexity through visual storytelling.
Migration & Cultural Fusion: As artists of African descent, we have navigated global influences in our creative journeys. Similarly, Cuba’s people have blended African, European, and Indigenous traditions to form a unique cultural identity.
Shared Histories & Identity: Gavin, born in Guyana, and Tariq, born in Somalia, both come from regions profoundly shaped by the African diaspora, colonial legacies, and migration. These experiences are also central to Cuba’s identity.
How It Connects to Our Backgrounds
This project seeks to illuminate the diverse people, arts, and traditions of Cuba, revealing their connections to broader global movements of displacement, survival, and cultural fusion.
resonate with both of our personal histories and artistic explorations.
Cuba’s rich cultural landscape is shaped by the legacies of Africa, colonialism, migration, and perseverance. These themes deeply
Why This Project Matters
Visión
Edición de Cuba
Project
Edición de Cuba
Fulani
Inspiración
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BIENAL
Palacio Del Conde de Lombillo
de la Habana
La Gente
Las Caras de Cuba
Edición de Cuba
Habana
Edición de Cuba
La Gente de la Habana
My project is a portrait-based exploration of the intricate fabric of race, ethnicity, and identity in Cuba. Through capturing the faces and stories of everyday Cubans, the series highlights the diversity within the population while examining the nuances of racial and ethnic harmony—or lack thereof—in a rapidly evolving cultural and social landscape. Set against the historic backdrop of Old Havana, these images provoke dialogue about Cuba’s layered history of coexistence, its challenges, and its future. This project invites viewers to reflect on the complexity of identity in a country where diversity is celebrated yet often unspoken.
STORIES FROM CUBA
Fragments of Identity
Art way
Tarey continues to make a profound impact in the art world, reminding us of the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and transform.
Tarey’s artistic vision is guided by a commitment to elevating marginalized voices and preserving cultural legacies. His work serves as both an artistic expression and a call to action, offering a platform for stories that might otherwise go unheard. Through his photography, filmmaking, and ongoing creative endeavors, Tariq
Currently, Tarey is immersed in an ambitious book project exploring Cuba's remarkable cultural diversity and the resilience of its people. By focusing on the lives of everyday Cubans, he seeks to illuminate the island's rich heritage and enduring spirit, creating a powerful narrative that bridges cultures and fosters understanding.
Resettlement: Nasro's Journey and Silsilad, have been featured on PBS Public Television and showcased at leading film festivals, where they have been praised for their compelling and empathetic storytelling.
Tarey’s photographic exhibitions, such as Forlorn in Ohio and Bhutanese-Nepali Neighbors, reveal his extraordinary capacity to connect with his subjects, earning him prestigious accolades, including the Ohio Museums Association's "Best of Show" award. His cinematic works, including Women, War and
Tarey is an acclaimed documentary photographer and filmmaker celebrated for his ability to capture the profound essence of human stories. With a distinctive approach that blends artistry with advocacy, his work resonates deeply, offering authentic portrayals of resilience, culture, and the human experience.
Tariq
uniting artists around the world inc.
Sponsored by:
including Women, War and Resettlement: Nasro’s Journey have been featured on PBS Public Television and screened film festivals, where they have been praised for their of
Beyond endeavors, distinguished photographer filmmaker, commitment through such as Bhutanese-Nepali Neighbors ability to essence earning Ohio Museums "Best of Tariq's cinematic
Tariq
