biography

Jose Emilio Fuentes Fonseca, JEFF was born in 1974 in Gramma, Cuba. From an early age, JEFF struggled with health issues related to a rare genetic disease that affected his lungs and ability to breathe. This coupled with an accident at the age of 8 where he lost 3 fingers and barely survived, meant he spent much of his childhood in and out of the hospital.

The odds were seemingly against him, but art brought him refuge and gave his life new meaning when in 1986, an arts professor from Havana visited his small town and the two met. The professor saw in him an immense talent and became the mentor JEFF needed, taking him under his wing and guiding him toward a career in art that has spanned over 30 years.

JEFF’s works have been exhibited all over the world including Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Dubai, the United States and France at the Louvre in Paris. He has also received numerous awards and recognition from various art institutions including the Center of Contemporary Art Wilfredo Lam in Havana, Cuba.

As an artist, I am bound to my time; as a man, to my history. My work is a reflection of my experience. Each stage of my journey brings its own lessons, and every “what” reveals the “how.”

My filter? Perhaps that is where it lies—although it has no purpose. As children, we speak without filters, and the world sees us as innocent. I do not seek to clothe myself in innocence. Instead, I make innocence the culprit behind all our troubles.

- JEFF -