SUPPORT OUR PROGRAM

DONATIONS

RIERA STUDIO is an art space for exhibitions, reflection and cultural dialogue that recognizes and studies the different dynamics and development of art made outside the mainstream norms, its relationship with society, and the social processes that inspire its creators. Our interest is focused on the promotion of a form of art produced by vulnerable social groups and others who develop their creative work away from established official arts institutions or mainstream art platforms. These artists create in response to a strong intrinsic motivation and often work with non-conventional materials and techniques. Much of this singular art reflects extreme mental states, very individual idiosyncrasies or extravagant worlds of fantasy.

 

ART BRUT PROJECT CUBA is the leading program at RIERA STUDIO with the objective of promoting and supporting singular art expressions that differ stylistically from existing visual cultures based on academic or intellectual training. These artists have no knowledge of intellectual artistic issues. Art made within this context, which is usually grouped under the related categories of Art Brut and Outsider Art—each with its own conceptual characteristics, though with some overlap—is the scope of our program.

 

ART BRUT was created as a term in the late 1940s by the French artist Jean Dubuffet to draw attention to a form of art with little or no connection with existing art styles. Its creators have not had any formal art training, yet they express their personal experiences and deep inner feelings obsessively. These artists may be affected by mental disorders, traumatic experiences, or social isolation.

 

OUTSIDER ART began to be used as an English synonym for "art brut" after the English art historian Roger Cardinal published his book of the same name in 1972. Over time, the term became more inclusive, referring not only to the art produced by people living in extreme mental or social conditions, but also to self-taught individuals who express themselves outside of established cultural norms.

 

ART BRUT PROJECT CUBA is the only Cuban art program specializing in these forms of visual art. Its main task is the acknowledgment and promotion of the Cuban creators of Art Brut and Outsider Art, and their artworks, in the national and international scenes. Our facilities included a reference center with available information about these artists and the conservation of most of their artworks creating a national collection: Art Brut Project Cuba Collection, which is the most comprehensive collection of Cuban Art Brut and Outsider Art.

 

Many of our artists suffer from severe mental illness or difficult health conditions that often burden their families. Thus, one of our most important goals is to help their families recognize them as artistically creative individuals and to promote their independence.

 

We also provide workspace for creators who, for various reasons, cannot develop their artwork at home. We do not interfere with their creative processes. Our support for artists in the program includes providing art materials and facilities to showcase and promote their work. However, as we are an independent studio not affiliated with Cuban governmental cultural methodologies, we do not receive support from national cultural institutions or any other systematic foreign funding. We depend on occasional donations to the project and collaboration with other institutes, organizations, and individuals to continue our work.