CubaPLUS Magazine

Born and raised in Camagüey by both birth and conviction, Iván Carbonell Guerra—known in the art world as Machuty—believes his passion for painting is in his genes. Coming from a family of artists, he recalls how his father used to paint near his crib, planting the seed of creativity within him.

“I come from a family of amateur artists who made significant contributions in various disciplines, such as painting and sculpture in bronze and plaster. My grandfather and greatgrandfather, as well as my late father, were all involved in the arts. In fact, my family’s artistic legacy is recognized in local art history from the neocolonial period,” Machuty shared with CubaPLUS Magazine.

“I have been drawing for as long as I can remember, since childhood. The world around me was filled with art, and everything that moved within it revolved around painting.

“While in primary school, my classmates would bring me sheets of paper, asking me to draw something for them, which they would carefully keep. That made me incredibly happy.

“Thanks to my success inschool art competitions, where my drawings consistently won awards and honorable mentions, I had the opportunity to participate in creative workshops at the Casa de Cultura. There, I prepared myself and laterpassed the entrance exams for both the School of Art Instructors and the Vicentina de la Torre Academy of Arts.

“This was how my formal studies began, and eventually, I graduated with a degree as an Art Instructor specializing in Visual Arts.”

When asked about his preferred artistic techniques, Machuty responded, “I love experimentation. The techniques I use vary depending on the medium—whether I’m creating a mural, painting on a human body, or incorporating newspaper clippings into my work with colors and textures. That kind of creative play has a deep meaning for me, as it is an essential part of artistic creation.”

Among the themes that captivate him the most, he finds the ecological world fascinating, particularly in relation to the human figure— especially the face.

“I start with a specific theme, which I explore and analyze from a morphological perspective. In portraiture, I am completely drawn in by the subject’s characteristics, which allow me to visualize their behavior, attitudes, and way of expressing or representing themselves.

“An example of this is my piece Utopía de Doña Inés, an eternal tribute to my late mother. Her face merges with a dragonfly, enveloped in a palette of colors that create a visually captivating atmosphere. Shades of green, yellow, red, and orange draw the viewer into my creative world.”

When asked about his artistic influences, Machuty mentioned Leopoldo Romañach, Salvador Dalí, and Wifredo Lam, among others. “I feel that my work carries a strong Hispanic-Afro-Cuban accent. These two roots form the foundation of our cultural identity. Cuban culture is incredibly rich and diverse, shaped by many elements that define who we are,” he reflected.

As a young artist, Machuty has received numerous national awards and accolades. His work has been featured in countless solo and group exhibitions, including multiple appearances at Havana’s National Youth Humor Salon El Loquito and the Juan David Personal Caricature Salon.

Speaking about his upcoming projects, Machuty—who confesses to painting and drawing tirelessly every day—revealed that heis currently working on a solo portrait exhibition. The collection consists of fifteen portraits created using various techniques and mediums and will be showcased in a gallery in Havana.

“Working is a joy. I believe being an artist is a spectacular profession, and I am completely immersed in it. That’s why I hold such deep respect for my creative process and for the work of my fellow artists. For me, painting is a gift that life has given me,” he concluded.

Contact

Telf: (+53) 5406 0467
Email: artexpressmachutypintor@gmail.com
Instagram: @machuty1
Facebook: Art Exprees Machuty