Founded in April 2015, we at ArteMorfosis initially dedicated ourselves to showcasing the works of well-established Cuban artists in our gallery in Zurich. In 2017, we expanded our artistic scope to embrace emerging and mid-career artists and started hosting group exhibitions, meticulously curated by experienced Cuban curators. From 2019 onwards, we have made concerted efforts to extend the reach of Cuban art globally. Our initiatives include participation in the Havana Biennale, the launch of cutting-edge virtual reality shows, and amplifying our digital footprint via social media and third-party art portals. A significant milestone was reached in 2023 when we upgraded our website to include a directory of Cuban artists, an asset that we continually enrich and update, reinforcing our enduring dedication to Cuban art and its artists.
At the end of 2022, ArteMorfosis made the strategic decision to close its gallery showrooms in Zurich. Fast forward to 2023, and the organization has embarked on a new venture by opening event rooms in Havana, establishing an innovative event platform for Cuban contemporary artists. This move to the heart of Cuba serves as a testament to ArteMorfosis’ commitment to closely mirroring the vibrancy and dynamism of the contemporary art scene. By being in Havana, the organization is poised to foster stronger collaborations with emerging talents, established acts, and internationally celebrated artists. The platform aims to orchestrate swift event cycles, thus ensuring a continuous showcase of refreshing artistry reflective of the global cultural pulse.
The term ArteMorfosis – derived from the Greek metamorphosis – stands for the transformations we expect once the possibilities of the digital age begin to unfold in the art market. The spring-like ‘M’ in our logo symbolizes the dynamics and potential of the expected transformations and the yellow color denotes the light, warmth and liveliness of the Caribbean sun, the energy source that makes Cuban art thrive.
ArteMorfosis is an early adapter of the new technologies that are about to reach a worldwide audience: Virtual as well as augmented reality next to an active presence on the most widely visited art websites allow us to present art in the best manner technically possible – anywhere and anytime. Virtual reality (VR) provides the ultimate level of immersion, creating a sense of physical presence with the art works in the same room. Augmented Reality (AR) enables you to envisage an interesting work in your foreseen location before deciding on a purchase.
ArteMorfosis’ ultimate goal is to represent all Cuban artists – worldwide. Once a customer decides on purchasing a work, the gallery uses its years of experience in Cuban art-logistics to ship purchased works directly from the artist’s studio to the client and covers the payment process with Swiss seriousness.
The Gallery Owners
Idalmys and Johann in front of their former Gallery in Zürich
Idalmys Burkhard – Garcia Negrin
Owner
Idalmys Burkhard – García Negrín (*1967) was born in Cuba. She grew up in a culturally interested family; her father was a founding member of the Cuban National Chorus and throughout her working life her mother was involved in different activities connected with the theater. Thus, performing artists were frequent houseguests. As a nurse working at higher level art schools for many years, she was able to stay in touch with the artistic community. She lives in Switzerland since 2002.
Johann Burkhard
Owner
Johann Burkhard (*1961) is a Swiss Internet pioneer with a forward-thinking approach towards integrating technology and art. As a co-founder of the Internet comparison website, dev.comparis.ch, Johann quickly recognized and harnessed the transformative potential of new media, achieving significant commercial success. As a gallery owner, his primary interest lies in integrating cutting-edge technologies into the gallery experience and leveraging the expansive reach of the internet to introduce Cuban artists to a global audience. Together with his wife, Idalmys, they share a familial bond as well as a common vision for Cuban art; they also have a son, further enriching their shared life journey.
