Zaida del Río Awarded Premio Nacional de Artes Plásticas 2023

It came as no surprise, and indeed should surprise no one, that this Friday, painter, illustrator, and printmaker Zaida del Río was honored with the National Prize for Plastic Arts. This decision has been met with applause from legions of admirers of her immensely rich body of work, marked by a strong lyrical calling. Her art is captivating in its baroque complexity and thematic breadth, standing out distinctly in the grand panorama of Cuban art.

Zaida is among the most prolific and popular Cuban artists. Her influence extends beyond the realm of painting, although it is in this domain that she has crystallized her poetic vision. Her work, populated with enchanting creatures and mesmerizing natural motifs, transcends mere style to become a deeply personal vision of her surroundings. It reflects her rural origins while generously opening up to other geographies, spiritual currents, and recreations of human circumstances. Above all, her work is a celebration of beauty and love.

Zaida del Río has always championed beauty.

The National Prize, which she will receive next week, acknowledges her mastery and commitment to the culture of her country, a culture she has enriched in dialogue with the universal heritage.

Women, birds, flowers, waters of rivers and seas, dream architectures, and botanical labyrinths… elements of a vibrant, dream-like universe that have positioned Zaida del Río, painter and poet, among the greats of Cuban art. The award has reaffirmed this acknowledgment.