Reynier Llanes was born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba in 1985. He attended the city's school of art (Instructores de arte) for four years and completed his studies in 2004. In Havana, Reynier was tutored by one of the country's most recognized realist artists, Juan Miguel Suarez. In 2007 Llanes availed himself of an opportunity to emigrate from Cuba and moved to the United States. Harmon-Meek Gallery is pleased to have represented Reynier Llanes since 2017.
In 2012 Oxford America recognized Llanes as one of the "New Superstars of Southern Art." Since then, Llanes has lived up to that recognition with works in the permanent collections of over 30 musuem collections. His list of museums include: Denver Art Museum – Denver, CO, Ogunquit Museum of American Art – ME, Cornell Fine Arts Museum Rollins College, Snite Museum of Art – South Bend, Indiana, Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland, FL, The Arkansas Arts Center, Museum of Fine Arts – Little Rock, Arkansas, Museum of Art – DeLand’s – DeLand, FL and Museum collection of Franklin G. Burroughs – Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach, SC.
The topics in his works have a strong folkloric character directly connected with the Cuban landscape, often portrayed with a magical lens of new interpretations. Conceptually, his works have focused on the dynamics of narrative and the forging of fables and allegories. The incidental details have given way to reformulations of settings and images, which are faithful to the gist of each tale that Reynier presents. For the years to come, Reynier would continue to work with institutions and communities in a series of projects focused on exploring the diverse sides of human nature and his exploration of art mediums and techniques. As great artists inspired him, he aims to encourage and inspire others to create and pursue a visual arts career. He will support the new generations and continue creating a door to express the inexpressible with his art.
Reynier Llanes
"Whisperers at Dusk" by Reynier Llanes
oil on canvas, 30" x 30", 2025
