Clavo Cruz

Born:: October 26, 1978, Havana, Cuba
Nationality:: Cuban-American
Profession(s):: Visual Artist, Sculptor, Installation Artist

Early Life and Education

Emigrated to Miami, Florida, with his family in 1992.
Developed an early interest in art, influenced by his grandfather, a carpenter.
Attended Miami Dade College, earning an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Arts (1998).
Received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Florida (2001).
Completed a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University School of Art (2004).

Career and Major Achievements

Gained early recognition for his large-scale sculptural installations using reclaimed materials.
Awarded the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters & Sculptors Grant (2007).
Participated in the Whitney Biennial (2010).
Held solo exhibitions at prominent galleries and museums internationally, including the Perez Art Museum Miami (2015) and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana (2018).
His work explores themes of displacement, memory, and cultural identity.
Commissioned to create a public art installation for the new terminal at Miami International Airport (2022).
Currently serves as a Professor of Sculpture at Rhode Island School of Design.

Notable Works

Selected Installations

Desarraigo (2009) - Installation featuring repurposed wooden planks and found objects.
Puentes Rotos (2012) - A series of sculptures resembling fragmented bridges.
Memorias Flotantes (2016) - Installation incorporating video projections onto suspended fabric.

Legacy and Impact

Clavo Cruz is recognized as a significant contemporary artist whose work critically examines themes of migration, cultural heritage, and social justice through innovative use of materials and conceptual approaches. His exploration of these topics contributes to broader conversations about identity and belonging in a globalized world. This 'clavo cruz biography definition' provides a glimpse into his contributions.