Henry Ballate


Henry Ballate was born on July 30, 1966, in Aguada de Pasajeros, Cuba. He is a Cuban-American visual artist, curator and Art History Professor. He left cuba in a flimsy raft through the treacherous waters of the Florida Straits in 1994 to establish himself in Miami where he works and lives since then in exile.

Education

Henry received his MFA in Visual Arts and his BFA in Graphic Design from Miami International University of Art and Design in 2007. Previously, he studied drawing and painting at the Accademia italiana in Florence, Italy, and graduated from the Art Instructors school in Matanzas, Cuba.

Art

In his work, Henry merges art history with the contemporary style by using popular symbols, visuals, and techniques of his own making. He deals with provocative themes in his art, mixing them with popular culture in order to create a significant message. His work is easily recognizable through his use of known iconography, which are essential to his public interventions and appropriations. Throughout his career, he has exhibited at solo and group shows in America, Europe, and Asia. His works are part of private collections in the United States, Canada, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy.

Selected Exhibitions