Derwin Leiva — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Biography

Derwin Leiva was born in Cuba in 1978 where music was part of his daily life. He studied art at the Honolulu Museum of Art, Linekona School and completed his BFA with Sculpture concentration at the University of Hawaii Manoa. He has participated in several international exhibitions including International Biennale Barcelona, Spain and Biennale Internazionale D’Arte Contemporanea 2019 in Mantova, Italy. His work has been displayed at the MEAN (European Museum of Modern Art) and the Diocesan Museum Francesco Gonzaga.
His work has been published by Exquisite Arts Magazine, Create Magazine, Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine, Art International Contemporary Magazine and several books like Masters of Today and 100 Artist of the Future. Leiva’s work has been recognized internationally and most recently he received the “Artexpo New York “Best New Exhibitor Award,” “International Caravaggio Prize – Great Master of the Art,” “The International Botticelli Award,” and “The International Michelangelo Award.”
In addition, Leiva was recognized at Mantua Art Expo as “Artist of the Year 2019;” He was also awarded “Artist of the Future” by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine and “Artist of the Year 2020,” by World of Art Magazine for Best in Art and Creativity.

Artist Statement

Although my work has been influenced by artists like Picasso, Boccioni, and Wifredo Lam; Cuban music has always been a constant backdrop to my work. Through the use of rhythm and motion in my work I mirror the experience of freedom found through Cuban music.

What first prompted you to think of becoming an artist?

I grew up in Santa Clara, Cuba and became fascinated with art at an early age. I remember helping my grandfather make charcoal from the Aroma tree. I always looked forward to helping him because it was a way for me to get free material to draw. I would pick up empty cigarettes boxes and brake them so I could use the white surface in the inside of the box to draw. I really enjoyed drawing with charcoal in different surfaces and it helped me capture my passion for art.

What kind of an artist do you ultimately see yourself?

Photography, printmaking, glass, woodwork, metal fabrication, and bronze casting. In fact, I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art with a concentration in sculpture from the University of Hawaii Manoa. I love so many different media that I would have to consider myself a Renaissance artist.

What are you hoping to communicate to the viewer through your work?

When I stand in front of the canvas I feel like I’m inside a different world; a world without limitations, a world where the only important thing is my imagination and the way I transfer it into everybody else's eyes. Through my brush, I can express my dreams, share my culture and my love for music. I can tell my stories using circles, lines and colours versus words. I can communicate with a unique music style and its heritage.

Can you explain the process of creating your work?

Even though, today much of my work is inspired by my love for Cuban music, my work has also been influenced by Picasso, Braque and Wifredo Lam. Their style shattered the traditional form of artistic representation and it reminds me of my broken memories of my life in Cuba. Their art inspired and informed my work as an artist allowing me to break and reconstruct my pieces. I always paint my canvas with a thin layer of red iron oxide because I don’t like painting on the white canvas. Then I do the drawing with charcoal directly on the canvas. This is one of my favorite parts of the process because I can start to see everything coming alive. Then I put some colors to create some values, and to have an idea on how the final painting is going to look. The most challenging part of the process is when I’m adding the final layers of paint, going back and forth deciding the different colors, value and final composition. At the end, through the use of rhythm and motion in my work, I try to mirror the experience of freedom found in Cuban music.

Can you explain the process of creating your work?

It is kind of hard to define how I see myself as an artist because although I domainly paintings, I also enjoy working in a variety of media. I have done the viewer creating a reaction that could be positive, negative or both. Ultimately, I want to share with the viewer part of my rich culture, it’s

What is your favorite part of the creative process?

My favorite part of the creative process is when I’m drawing with charcoal on the canvas because it is the part where I try to find a way to depict the happiness of the music and my culture. It is the most free and organic part of all, allowing me to have a conversation with the canvas. I enjoy it because there are no mistakes, I can add and subtract lines, I can figure out the composition and how I’m going to determine the different values. It is the part where my vision comes to reality; although it is not the final product, I can see the finish painting in my mind.

Can you give us an insight into current projects and inspiration, or what we can look forward to from you in the near future?

As of right now, I’m working on a new collection of large paintings that will be exhibited in April 2022 at Artexpo New York. I have been invited to participate in several exhibitions in other countries including Italy, Spain, Korea and Japan but due to the current world situation, I’m undecided. In October 2021, I will be participating in The International Biennale of Contemporary Art in Argentina. This will be a great opportunity to show my work next to many great international artists. This event will be in the Cultural Center Borges in the city of Buenos Aires.

Website www.derwinleiva.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/derwin_leiva/