Through Del Caimán, Cuban art finds the attention it deserves

Pittsburgh, PA: Del Caimán is a project by Rafael Migoyo where he seeks to reconnect with his Cuban heritage by giving Cuban art the justice it deserves. The gallery grew out of a personal journey where Migoyo, who immigrated from Cuba to the United States as a child, sought to share his connection between the two cultures. 

“CUBAN ART OUTSIDE OF CUBA OFTEN CATERS TO FOREIGN TASTES.

AUTHENTIC CUBAN ART IS LIKE PACHANGA OR RUMBA, IT’S A REFLECTION OF OUR IDENTITY.” 

-Rafael Migoyo, Owner of Del Caimán

 

Artists trying to make a living in Cuba generally feel the need to adjust their styles to foreign sensibilities. There is a significant gap between what sells internationally and what can be considered the heart and soul of Cuba. 

In Cuba, art is used to tell a narrative—the situation in the community. It’s why so many of the works by Cuban art masters revolve around social issues. Cuban art is a language. When Cubans think of art, they don’t think of the artists as creators of beauty, they view them as informers, educators and historians. Artists can’t afford the luxury of buying a canvas, sitting down and saying nothing.  

For Migoyo, telling this story meant getting in touch with his roots. Having grown up hearing stories about his family’s relationship with the masters who are now considered giants in Cuba’s art history, Migoyo knew he had a rare opportunity to paint a true picture of Cuban art—one that represents the Cuban sensibility and is not watered down by what artists feel obligated to make for tourists visiting the country.

Through his passion for art, combined with his family’s history with the art world in Cuba, Migoyo felt compelled to use his access to show Cuban art to the world. Speaking to his family, he had the opportunity to talk with some of Cuba’s most famous contemporary masters. This led to forming a personal relationship with the artists Del Caimán now represents. 

Del Caimán is the platform by which Migoyo hopes to share the world of authentic Cuban art on his journey to reconnect with his country of birth. 

Learn more through our website: https://www.delcaiman.com

Additional notes:

  • Del Caimán’s art is exclusively from artists from Cuba. All works are certified and authenticated.

  • Migoyo works with well-recognized artists in the Cuban arts community.

  • Founded in January 2020, Pittsburgh-based Del Caimán’s team consists of Rafael Migoyo, and his father.