To the opinion of various artists and many experienced Cuban curators, one of the biggest weaknesses of our art market before the massive visibility of international competitors, –which implies the occurrence of art fairs, first level showcase circuits among other positioning actions–, resides in the inexistence of an art collecting private sector dedicated to activities of support, sponsorship and promotion, so as to ignite national art production in the international art circuits. The following are two primary causes to such a pitiful lack: the private financial funds capable and wealthy enough to invest in national artists are reduced to a handful of them. At the other hand, there is no legislative base that allows those individuals with a private initiative to focus on collecting, sponsorship and art promotion.
In spite of this desolating panorama –concerning private collecting–, there is the name of a man and his project that are starting to get notoriety in Havana art scene: José Busto and his AVISTAMIENTOS Art Gallery. Busto was born in Havana on March 23rd, 1969. He’s an unusual, sui generis Cuban with a refined education. He gives a capital importance to the role of aesthetic criteria in all of life aspects. You can tell a kind of aesthetic attitude on his personality. The subtlety of a formal elegance defines the way he chooses his outfits. Busto is an elegant Cuban who wears suit at every single showcase and exhibition he attends, regardless of how hot it could be due to the enthusiastic crowds. He keeps his shape flawless, and that makes him authentic.