Today we’d like to introduce you to Reynier Llanes.
Hi Reynier, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Reynier Llanes was born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba in 1985. He attended the city’s school of art (Instructores de Arte) for four years and completed his studies in 2004. Llanes was tutored by one of the country’s most recognized realist artists, Juan Miguel Suárez. In 2005 he moved to Havana where he continued his studies and collaborated with various artists. The capital was a thriving mecca of art and culture and the museums the grounds for inspiration.
In 2007 LIanes availed himself of an opportunity to emigrate from Cuba and moved to the United States, first settling in Naples, FL. In Naples he began to introduce his work in a major exhibition entitled “Strange Visitor” at the Kapo Maestro Gallery. In 2009 he relocated to Charleston, SC where he had the honor of being granted an artist in residency at the Jonathan Green Studios.
Llanes was awarded a “first purchase award” for a piece now in the art collection of the city of Charleston 2011 at Moja Art Festival Juried Exhibition Award. In 2012 Oxford America recognized him as one of the “New Superstars of Southern Art.” The art of Reynier was nourished by the rich southern culture and he began to collaborate with various museums and art centers. His work was featured in a traveling exhibition The Vibrant Vision Collection at the Morris Museum in Augusta, GA and the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, SC.
Llanes is also an avid art collector in his own right, focusing on works by artists from Cuba, and particularly those from his native province of Pinar del Río. A selection of works from his collection was exhibited at City Gallery in Charleston in 2013 and in the Art Museum in Myrtle Beach in 2015.
In 2015 Llanes relocated with his family to Miami in order to take advantage of the city’s international art market and vibrant cultural life and to be closer to his home country. South Florida is, of course, home to a large community of intellectuals, collectors, and fellow artists who have welcomed Llanes into their cosmopolitan scene. His first solo exhibition in Miami took place at Miami Dade College West, this exhibition was entitled “Preserving Cultural Heritage” and it featured a large collection of coffee paintings.
In 2017 he met Bill Meek of the Harmon Meek Gallery in Naples, FL marking the beginning of a great professional and personal relationship. In the same year Llanes presented his series “Marble Trace” at the Northwestern State University in Louisiana, the following year they offered him an artist in residency. In 2022 he had a solo exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art and had the opportunity of participating on Arts and Poets event at the DeLand Art.
His art is on permanent exhibition in the Denver Art Museum – Denver, CO, Ogunquit Museum of American Art – ME, Cornell Fine Arts Museum Rollins College, Snite Museum of Art – South Bend, Indiana, Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland, FL, The Arkansas Arts Center, Museum of Fine Arts – Little Rock, Arkansas, Museum of Art – DeLand’s – DeLand, FL and Museum collection of Gibbes Museum of Art, SC and the The Butler Institute of American Art..
The topics in his works have a strong folkloric character directly connected with the Cuban landscape, often portrayed with a magical lens of new interpretations. Conceptually, his works have focused on the dynamics of narrative and the forging of fables and allegories. The incidental details have given way to reformulations of settings and images, which are faithful to the gist of each tale that Reynier presents. For the years to come, Reynier would continue to work with institutions and communities in a series of projects focused on exploring the diverse sides of human nature and his exploration of art mediums and techniques. As great artists inspired him, he aims to encourage and inspire others to create and pursue a visual arts career. He will support the new generations and continue creating a door to express the inexpressible with his art.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Like many artists, I’ve faced challenges that shaped both my work and my perspective. Leaving my home in Cuba and rebuilding my life in a new country meant starting from scratch—learning a new language, culture, and system while staying true to my artistic vision. There were moments of uncertainty, but those experiences deepened my understanding of resilience and belonging. Every obstacle became part of the narrative that fuels my art today, reminding me that beauty often emerges from persistence and faith in one’s purpose.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a visual artist whose work bridges memory, identity, and imagination through painting. I specialize in oil, watercolor, and coffee-based works that weave realism with symbolism, often drawing from my childhood in Cuba and my experiences of migration. My paintings explore the unseen connections between the physical and spiritual worlds, inviting viewers to reflect on their own journeys. I am most proud of how my art continues to open conversations across cultures. What sets my work apart is its balance between technical precision and poetic narrative, where light, nostalgia, and metaphor converge to create a dialogue between past and present.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
One of the most surprising parts of my artistic journey has been how each new chapter continues to bring unexpected opportunities for growth and connection. My upcoming solo exhibition, Pursuit of Grace, at Rutgers University–Camden in New Jersey, opening this September and running through December 2025, feels like one of those moments. It’s always a great gift to be able to present a solo show with a prestigious institution, and I’m forever grateful for the chance to share my work and continue this evolving dialogue through art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://reynierllanes.com
- Instagram: @reynierllanes
- Facebook: reynierllanes
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reynier-llanes-studio
- Youtube: @reynierllanesstudio7423
Image Credits
Raul Prado
