Belkis Ayón and Carlos Alfonzo: Odyssey

01/24/2026 - 05/10/2026

The visual languages developed by Belkis Ayón (b. 1967, Havana, Cuba–d. 1999, Havana, Cuba) and Carlos Alfonzo (b. 1950, Havana, Cuba–d. 1991, Miami, USA) are rich with layered meaning and symbolic depth. Both artists approach image-making with confidence and conviction. While their visual styles are markedly different, Ayón and Alfonzo are connected through their engagement with historical mythologies and complex spiritual traditions. Their work is driven by raw, expressive storytelling—each composition unfolding as an ongoing journey rather than a fixed narrative.

Deeply attuned to the realities around them, both artists confronted themes of violence, restriction, and oppression. Each experienced life shaped by scarcity and limited freedoms in Cuba, influences that left a lasting imprint on their work. Though they followed different artistic paths, Ayón and Alfonzo received significant recognition during their lifetimes. Their work continues to resonate today, influencing new generations of artists and shaping the broader understanding of contemporary art. Odyssey invites viewers to encounter these works anew, revealing layers of meaning that serve as entry points into a deeply personal and transformative experience.

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