Jose Urbay is a Cuban-Canadian artist who has exhibited his artwork internationally in solo and group exhibitions in Havana, Madrid, New York, Brussels and Vancouver. He finds inspiration in his personal memories, spirituality, nostalgia and the landscapes of his beloved island.
Jose Urbay was born and raised in Havana City, Cuba. Coming from a family of artists, since very little he developed the sensibility of appreciate and understand art. A first hand witness of the vibrant and globally recognized Cuban culture, his education and passion for the visual arts gave shape to a very specific yet diverse style. In 2008 he moved to Vancouver, making this beautiful city his new home and source of inspiration.
In 1994 Jose Urbay started what it would be 5 years of study in the Institute of Design in Havana, specializing in Informational Design. Throughout his career his artwork is been published, exhibited and awarded in a myriad of publications, from children books to poetry magazines in Cuba. Some of his work are in private collections in the United States and Norway.
Artwork
Education
| 2013-2014 | British Columbia Institute of Technology, Graphic Design Associate Certificate (Graduated with Distinction) BC, Canada. |
| 2010 | British Columbia Institute of Technology, Graphic Design courses (Photoshop CS4, Indesign CS4, Graphics 1) BC, Canada. |
| 2005 | Illustration and Painting Workshop, Prof. Chizuko Owaki High Institute of Arts (ISA); Havana, Cuba. |
| 2003-2004 | Photography Program Certification, International Institute of Journalism Havana, Cuba. |
| 1994-2000 | Bachelor Degree in Informational Design, Institute of Industrial Design (ISDI), Havana, Cuba. |
Selected Group Exhibitions
| 2011 | “Cuban Mystic”, Clayzone Ceramics Gallery Burnaby, BC, Canada. |
| “A Starry Moment”, Contemporary art exhibition; International Village Mall, ChinatownVancouver, Canada. | |
| 2009 | “En el Cosmos, una Isla” Lezama Lima Museum, Havana, Cuba. |
| 2008 | “Ascenso de Palmas Goticas” International Institute of Journalism, Havana, Cuba. |
| 2007 | “Lunas de Invierno”; Proyecto Estaciones; Casa de la Poesia, Havana, Cuba. |
| 2006 | “Encrucijada”, Real Academia de la Lengua Española, Havana, Cuba. |
| 2005 | International Contemporary Art Exhibition, Jeanne de Merode Castle, Brussels, Belgium. |
| International exhibition sponsored by Cariforum, Brussels, Belgium. | |
| Cuban Art Exhibition amidst the celebration of ESCALES CUBAINES, Brussels, Belgium. | |
| Exhibition of ink drawings on traditional paper, Professor Chizuko Owaki, Donguri Workshop, Tokyo, Japan. | |
| 2003 | Morder o no Morder, Erotic Art Hall, Mariano Rodríguez Gallery, Panamerican Village, Havana, Cuba. |
| 4th Illustration Biennial Los Puentes, Fayad Jamís Gallery, Havana, Cuba. | |
| 2002 | Salón de la Ciudad, International Hotel, Varadero, Cuba. |
| 2001 | Trazos del Alma, Casa de la Poesía, Havana, Cuba. |
| La Isla Infinita, Sauto Theater, and Melia Varadero Hotel, Matanzas, Cuba. | |
| Ofrenda a Tagore, Casa de Asia; Havana, Cuba. | |
| Illustration Biennial Los Puentes, Fayad Jamis Gallery, Havana, Cuba. | |
| 2000 | Raúl Martínez Gallery, Instituto Cubano del Libro, Havana, Cuba. |
| 1997 | International Poster Exhibition La Imagen Constante; Havana, Cuba. |
| 1996 | National Poster Contest “Where we live now”, University of Havana, Cuba. |
| International Poster Exhibition Where we live now; United Nations Offices, New York, USA. |
Solo Exhibitions
| 2011 | Cuban Mystique; Clayzone Ceramics Gallery, Burnaby. BC, Canada. |
| 2005 | De Agua y de Luz ;Santa Isabel 36 Studio-Gallery, amidst the International Art Fair ARCO, Madrid, Spain. |
| 2004 | Guardianes, Lombillo Palace Gallery, Havana, Cuba. |
| 2003 | La Seda del Agua, UNEAC (Cuban National Writers and Artists Association) Ruben Martinez Villena Gallery, Havana, Cuba. |
| José Ramón Urbay, Pinturas y Dibujos, Raúl Martínez Gallery Cuban Book Institute; Havana, Cuba. | |
| 2001 | La Luz Negra; Casa de la Poesía; Havana, Cuba. |
| 19 Gotas; Hotel Inglaterra; Havana, Cuba. | |
| 2000 | Deshielos, La Isla Infinita Gallery, Instituto Cubano del Libro; Havana, Cuba. |
Awards and Achievements
| 2003 | Honorable Mention at the Illustration Biennial “ Los Puentes” Fayad Jamís Gallery, Havana, Cuba. |
| 2001 | Final Selection of the Illustration Biennial “ Los Puentes” Fayad Jamís Gallery, Havana, Cuba. |
| 1997 | Third Prize on the National Visual Identity Contest for the World Youth Festival, Havana, Cuba. |
| 1997 | Final Selection of the International Poster Contest “ The Constant Image”, Pabellón Cuba, Havana, Cuba. |
| 1996 | Final Selection of the International Poster Contest “Where We Live Now”, sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund. |
| New York, USA. | |
| 1996 | First Place on the National Poster Contest Where We Live Now”, sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund. Havana, Cuba. |
Bibliography (Published Artwork)
Perez Diaz, Enrique (Editor) Cuatro Leyendas Africanas, Gente Nueva Publishing House, 2011
Feria Flores, Amilkar, En el Cosmos Una Isla, Esquilfe Digital Magazine April 4th, 2009
Lam, Rafael, Exposición Colectiva de Artistas de la Plástica Cubarte Digital Magazine, December 2nd, 2008
Pérez Díaz, Enrique (Editor), Wabima, La hija del Mwami, Gente Nueva Publishing House, 2008, Cover and Interior Illustrations
Pérez Díaz, Enrique (Editor), Wabima, Las rayas de la hiena, Gente Nueva
Publishing House, 2008, Cover and Interior Illustrations
Calzadilla Núñez, Julia (Author), Nuevos Cantares de la America y el Caribe, Gente Nueva Publishing House, 2008 Diaz Llanillo, Esther (Author) Cuentos antes y después del sueño, Letras Cubanas Publishing House, 2007, Cover
Opus Habana Magazine vol. VIII, Breviario, 2004, Cover and page 2, Print
Elvia Dieguez (Curator), Huestes Celestiales, Opus Habana Magazine, Vol VIII , 2004 Breviario (Cultural Reviews) page 2
Piñera, Tony, Manchas del Paisaje, Opciones Magazine, No 4, 2004, page13
Opus Habana Magazine vol. VII, Breviario, 2003, page 8
Mejides, Miguel (Author), Las Ceremonias del Amor, Union Publishing House, (Cuba National Writers and Artists Association), 2003, Cover
Guerra, Félix (Author) Rama Verde, Criatura Dorada, Letras Cubanas Publishing House, 2003, pages 18, 28, 32, 34, 39, 43, 55, 69, 76, 85, 89, 92, 94, 103, 112, 125 and cover
La Gaceta de Cuba Magazine, (Cuba National Writers and Artists Association) vol II, 2000, pages 47, 52, 53. Print
La Revista del Libro Cubano, (Cuban Book Magazine), Vol. I, 2000 page 51. Print
La Isla Infinita Magazine, No 1, 1999, Letras Cubanas Publishing House, pages 9, 13, 14, 15, 25, 32, 38, 41, 42, 43, 63, 65
La Isla Infinita Magazine, No 2, 1999, Letras Cubanas Publishing House, pages 35, La Ballena Codorniz, pages 2, 3, 42, 50
La Isla Infinita Magazine, No 3, 2000, Letras Cubanas Publishing House, pages 35, 59, 78.
La Isla Infinita Magazine, No 6, 2002, Letras Cubanas Publishing House, pages 12, 58, 59, 73, back cover
La Isla Infinita Magazine, No 7, 2003 Letras Cubanas Publishing House, pages 32, 54
La Isla Infinita Magazine, No 8, 2004, Letras Cubanas Publishing House, pages 20, 50, 70, 73, 78, 81, 122, 127 and cover
La Isla Infinita Magazine, No 11, 2006, Letras Cubanas Publishing House, pages 2, 10, 15, 36, 39,71, 74, 77
La Isla Infinita Magazine, No 12, 2008, Letras Cubanas Publishing House, pages 65
He has worked as an illustrator in several Cuban publications and Publishing Houses such as:
La Revista del Libro Cubano
La Gaceta de Cuba
Opus Habana
Gente Nueva Publishing House.
Poetry magazine La Isla Infinita
Letras Cubanas Publishing House
Works held in private collections in the United States, Spain, Cuba and Norway.