José Florencio Gelabert Pérez

Musician, sculptor, draftsman, professor. He graduated from the Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes San Alejandro in 1934.

Born in Caibarién, of humble origins, when he completed elementary education he learned the trade of a foundry apprentice. An interest in music emerged in him and he came to be part of the Banda de Caibarién.

During this time he applied for a scholarship to San Alejandro in Havana and moved to the capital. Already studying at San Alejandro he did not abandon music and became connected with musicians of the caliber of Amadeo Roldán and Alejandro García Caturla. He wins a professorship position at the School of Fine Arts, attached to San Alejandro, in competition.

By 1938 he decides to dedicate himself entirely to sculpture once he achieves some awards with wooden carvings. He makes a visit to Europe (Paris, Naples, Rome, Florence, Venice, Belgium) which helps increase his connections and brings him into contact with the most renowned masters. In Paris he meets Lam and has the opportunity to access the studio of the celebrated Emil Antoine Bourdelle, thanks to his widow.

He returns to Cuba and continues working intensely. He studies pedagogy and resides in Mexico in 1946, where he presents one of his first solo exhibitions in the Palacio de Bellas Artes.

In Cuba he creates some monuments and sculptures for various official and private institutions, such as the one erected in Havana to General Quintín Banderas and the decorations of the Hotel Habana Riviera; El Caballito de Mar, La Ninfa; the Shark and another sculptural ensemble in bronze, in front of the entrance of the cabaret of that hotel.

He also executes the allegorical fountain to transportation located at the side of the Omnibus Terminal, the one at the Hotel Atlantic, the mural of the ice cream shop of Santa Catalina.

At the Triumph of the Revolution he directs San Alejandro until 1963 and subsequently works in the Ministry of Construction and in EMPROVA. He uses different techniques, creates works linked to the architectural environment such as the Giant Crab placed at the entrance of his hometown.

He held more than twenty solo exhibitions from the early date of 1929, several in the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, and participated in more than thirty group shows in Cuba, Spain and Brazil, in the latter at the VI Biennial of Sao Paulo.

He received numerous awards, mentions and recognitions in Salons and Fine Arts Circles. His works are found in the permanent collection of the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Florencio Gelabert is a recognized sculptor.

Throughout the country there are sculptural ensembles, busts, monuments and fountains that identify him as an artist of great skill: The Pantheon of Veterans of the War of Independence in Cementerio Colón, the Sculptural Ensemble of Hotel Riviera, the fountain of the Omnibus Terminal of Havana are emblematic works by Gelabert.

Studies

• 1928-1934 Academia de San Alejandro, Havana.
• 1941-1945 Pedagogy of Drawing, Universidad de La Habana, Havana.
• 1952-1953 School of Arts and Crafts, Havana.

Professional Activity
• 1936-1946. Professor of geometric drawing. Elementary School of Applied Arts attached to San Alejandro, Havana.
• 1959 Director, Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes San Alejandro, Havana.

Solo Exhibitions
• 1939 Exhibition of sculptures by Florencio Gelabert, Lyceum, Havana, September 1.
• 1946 Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico D.F., December.
• 1947 Sculptural Exhibition Florencio Gelabert, Lyceum, Havana, September 1-10.
• 1953 Gallery of Matanzas, Matanzas.
• 1954 Exhibition of sculptures by Florencio Gelabert Pérez, Galería La Rampa, Havana, March 29-April 7.
• 1954 Sculptures by Florencio Gelabert Pérez, Gallery of Plastic Arts, Santiago de Cuba, May 15-22.
• 1955 Florencio Gelabert. Sculptures, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana, July 22-August 7.
• 1957 Sculpture Exhibition Florencio Gelabert, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana, March 26.
• 1963 Ministry of Construction, Havana.
• 1970 Gelabert, MINSAP Gallery, Havana, October 5-25.
• 1971 Sculptures and drawings. Florencio Gelabert, Consejo Nacional de Cultura, Santa Clara.
• 1979 Landscapes by José López Álvarez (Lopito) and sculptures and projects by Gelabert, Centro de Arte Internacional, Havana, February 14.
• 1982 Gelabert exhibits sculptures, Centro de Arte 23 y 12, Havana, July 3.
• 1984 Retrospective Exhibition of Florencio Gelabert. In honor of the 80th anniversary of his birth, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana, February 15.

Group Exhibitions
• 1933/1937/1938/1939/1940/1949 Salon of Fine Arts, Círculo de Bellas Artes, Havana.
• 1946 III National Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture, Salón de los Pasos Perdidos, Capitolio Nacional, Havana, March 2-17.
• 1950 16 Cuban Sculptors, Sociedad Universitaria de Bellas Artes, Havana, May 15-30.
• 1954 II Hispano-American Biennial of Art, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana.
• 1955 Permanent Room of Plastic Arts of Cuba, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Havana, July 22.
• 1956 VIII National Salon of Painting and Sculpture, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Havana, November 28-December 28.
• 1962 National Salon 1962. Tribute to Carlos Enríquez, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana, February 9.
• 1981 First National Salon of Small Format, Salón Lalo Carrasco, Hotel Habana Libre, Havana.
• 1982 Sculpture Exhibition, Pabellón Cuba, Havana, August.
• 1983 Sculpture in the Revolution, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana, August.
• 1986 Sculptures, Galería de Arte Servando Cabrera Moreno, Havana, July 18-August.

Awards
• 1937/1939/1940 Bronze Medal, XIX / XXI /XXII Fine Arts Salon, Havana.
• 1945 Bronze Medal, Sociedad Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana.
• 1954 First Prize, II Hispano-American Biennial of Art, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana.
• 1962 Gold Medal, Sculpture Exhibition, Círculo Bellas Artes, Havana.
• 1981 Mention, First National Salon of Small Format, Salón Lalo Carrasco, Hotel Habana Libre, Havana.

Sculptural Works
Self-Portrait, metallized plaster, 47 x 27 x 26 cm, 1934
The Blessed Woman, sabicú, direct carving, 90 x 21 x 32 cm, 1938
Eva, bronze, 74 x 28 x 17 cm, 1946
Torso of a Woman, wood, 1.01 x 0.47 x 0.35 m, 1954
Composition, concrete, 1.50 x 0.40 x 0.40 m, 1982

Works Placed in Cuba
Sculptural Panel The Family (Architect: Enrique Luis Varela), general pantheon of Veterans of the War of Independence, Cementerio Cristóbal Colón, Havana
Bust of Colonel María Escobar Lavedo, bronze, Parque Libertad, Caibarién, Las Villas, 1944
Bust of José Ma. Aguayo, Caibarién, Las Villas, 1948
Monument to Quintín Bandera y Betancourt, bronze, Parque Trillo, Havana, 1948-1953
Funerary Monument to José Joaquín Palma, Bayamo, Granma, 1951
Bust of Antonio Maceo, park of Consolación del Sur, Pinar del Río, 1957
Sculptural ensemble, artificial stone, Hotel Habana Riviera, Havana, 1957
Fountain La Velocidad, artificial stone, Omnibus Station, Havana, 1959
Fountain, gardens of Capitolio Nacional, Havana, 1959
Sculptural ensemble, Hotel Atlántico, Havana, 1960
Bust of Fructuoso Rodríguez, School of Agronomy, Universidad de La Habana, Havana, 1961
Crab, Caibarién, Villa Clara, 1984
Pantheon of the Valdés Díaz Family, Cementerio Cristóbal Colón, Havana
Bust to Mother Consuelo, marble, School of the Oblates, Havana
Bust of Maceo, bronze, Jagüey Grande, Matanzas
Frieze, Lyceum of Caibarién, Santa Clara
Bust of Mr. Hanna, Avenida del Puerto, Havana

CHRONOLOGY

1904- Born in Caibarién on February 23, 1904.

1909-1916- Completes primary education in different schools of his hometown. The family moves to a residence near the sea, which allows him to come into contact with marine flora and fauna, as well as the numerous shipyards of the locality. During these years he stands out notably in drawing and modeling in clay.

1916- Begins working in an iron and bronze foundry. He also begins studying music (trombone) in his free time, with teacher José Ma. Montalván.

1920- He suffers a burn on his leg from bronze, which causes him to abandon his work at the foundry. He joins the Caibarién music band, playing the trombone.

1921- Begins working in construction as an apprentice bricklayer.

1928- While working as a bricklayer he obtained through competitive examination a scholarship to pursue studies at the San Alejandro School in Havana, which he obtained successfully. He moves to Havana.

1929- As the scholarship subsidy from the San Alejandro School decreases, he begins working as a musician in different nightclubs in the capital. He works on sculpture with a view to his participation in competitions and exhibitions of this art form.

1931- Obtains First Prize in Decorative Modeling in the 1931-32 academic year.

1932- Begins playing trombone in the Philharmonic Orchestra of Havana, directed by Amadeo Roldán. On weekends he travels to Caibarién to play in the recently founded Concert Orchestra directed by Alejandro García Caturla.

1933- Participates in the XVI Salon of the Círculo de Bellas Artes. Places a bust of educator Don Ramón Rosainz in Public School no. 3.

1934- Graduates from the San Alejandro School.

1935- Participates with his work Modesty in the National Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture organized by the Department of Education.

1936- Participates in Salon XVIII of the Círculo de Bellas Artes. Obtains through competitive examination the position of full professor of geometric drawing at the newly founded School Attached to San Alejandro. Is appointed delegate secretary of said institution, a position he holds for many years.

1937 - Participates in the XX National Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture. Obtains the bronze medal of Salon XIX of the Círculo de Bellas Artes with his work Affinity.

1938- Participates in Salon XX of the Círculo de Bellas Artes with his work Head, made in bronze. Participates in the II National Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture organized by the Department of Culture. Between May and October he travels through France, Italy and Belgium. Upon his return from Europe he resigns from his position in the Philharmonic Orchestra to dedicate himself entirely to the plastic arts.

1939- Presents at the 1st National Congress of Cuban Art, organized by the Círculo de Bellas Artes, his first wooden carving, The Blessed Woman, 1938. Obtains in Salon XIX of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, the silver medal for his work Torso made in artificial stone.

1940- Travels through the U.S.A. where he is impressed by the integration of plastic arts with architecture. Upon his return he obtains in Salon XXII of the Círculo de Bellas Artes the bronze medal for a relief made in stone.

1941- Begins studies in pedagogy at the Universidad de La Habana.

1942- Participates in collective exhibitions, Patronage of Cuban Plastic Arts, in the Modern and Classic Art exhibition organized by the City Hall of Havana and in the Collective Ceramics Exhibition of the Círculo de Bellas Artes.

1943- Obtains at the Universidad de La Habana, the First Prize of Honor "Nicolás Pérez Reventós," for the subject of modeling with his methodology. Participates in the First Exhibition of Plastic Arts of the Miramar Yacht Club.

1944- Participates in the XIX Municipal Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture in the First Salon of Cuban Arts and Letters "Juan Bautista Vermay," in the benefit sale Exhibition for the Red Cross organized by the Sociedad Nacional de Bellas Artes and in the benefit sale Exhibition organized by the Patronage of Plastic Arts.

1945- Completes his studies as Dr. in Pedagogy, specializing in drawing, at the Universidad de La Habana. Obtains bronze medal in the Sociedad Nacional de Bellas Artes for his work Creole, made in Jocuma. Makes the bronze friezes of the Pantheon of Veterans in Cementerio de Colón. Presents his work Motherhood in the Sociedad Nacional de Bellas Artes.

1946- During a one-year period of artistic leave he moves to Mexico where he works with enthusiasm and learns the lost-wax technique. In December of that year he holds his first solo exhibition in the Palacio de Bellas Artes of Mexico City, which was very well received by critics and the general public. At the end of December he returns to Cuba.

1947- Returns to his position at the San Alejandro Attached School. Holds his second solo exhibition in the Lyceum halls, from September 1 to 10. Places in Parque Libertad, in Caibarién, a bust, made in bronze, of Colonel María Escobar Laredo.

1948- Places on Martí Avenue in Caibarién a bust, made in marble, of José María Aguayo.

1949- Participates in the XXXI Salon of the Círculo de Bellas Artes.

1950- Presents 16 sculptures in the Sociedad Universitaria de Bellas Artes. Participates in the XV Exhibition of Painting, Sculpture and Engraving, held at the Centro Asturiano.

1951- Participates in a sculpture exhibition at the gallery of Matanzas and in the V National Salon of Painting, Sculpture and Engraving. Places in Bayamo a monument, made in Jaimanitas stone and bronze that contain the remains of José Joaquín Palma.

1953- Participates in the VI National Salon of Painting and Sculpture held at the Capitolio Nacional, in the painting and sculpture exhibition held at the Dental Retreat and in the painting and sculpture exhibition of the Círculo de Bellas Artes. Holds his third solo exhibition at the Gallery of Matanzas. Places the monument to General Quintín Bandera in Parque Trillo and a commemorative plaque at the house where he died, both in Havana.

1954- Holds his fourth solo exhibition, in Santiago de Cuba and the fifth at Galería La Rampa in Havana. Wins the First National Prize for Sculpture at the II Hispano-American Biennial of Art, for his work Rhythm.

1955- Holds a traveling solo exhibition, with venues in libraries, on the occasion of the XIX Book Fair. Participates in the Cuba Exhibition in Tampa.

1956- Participates in the International Exhibition held in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

1957- Holds his sixth solo exhibition in the halls of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Havana. Places 6 works in the Hotel Habana Riviera and a bust of Maceo in the park of Consolación del Sur, Pinar del Río.

1959- Is appointed by the then Minister of Education, Doctor Armando Hart; director of the San Alejandro School and the School Attached to San Alejandro. Participates in the V Sculpture Exhibition organized by the Círculo de Bellas Artes. Exhibits a fountain made in direct concrete in the Gardens of the Capitolio.

1960- Places the fountain La Velocidad made in direct concrete in the Gardens of the Omnibus Terminal and a fountain with four other works in the Hotel Atlántico on Playa Santa María del Mar. Makes various reliefs, exterior and interior, as well as a figure to be placed in the VW Automobile Agency, on Avenida de Rancho Boyeros.

1961- Places at the School of Agronomy of the Universidad de La Habana, a bust of Fructuoso Rodríguez, inside the Omnibus Terminal of Havana a bust of Martí, one of Camilo Cienfuegos and another of Frank País and in Lawton, a bust of Mario Fortuny in the public school of that name.

1962- Obtains gold medal, in the Sculpture Exhibition held at the Círculo de Bellas Artes, for his work Mermaids, direct carving in dágame. Retires from his teaching position at the San Alejandro School.

1963 - Works, under contract, on the decoration of prefabricated facades, a project of the Ministry of Construction, where he places a relief made in direct concrete and holds his seventh solo exhibition. Holds his eighth solo exhibition in the halls of the Ministry of Industry.

1966- Places, in the Ice Cream Shop of Santa Catalina and Primelles, a two-meter high sculpture made in direct concrete as well as a twenty-meter long mural, made of waste material.

1967 - Places in the Social Circle "Félix Elmuza" a mural made in mosaic.

1969 - Holds an exhibition of drawings —biological allegories— at the School of Biological Sciences of the Universidad de La Habana.

1970- Holds his ninth solo exhibition in the Gallery of the Ministry of Public Health, where he also participates in a group exhibition.

1971- Holds his tenth solo exhibition, at the Consejo Nacional de Cultura of Santa Clara.

1972- Holds his eleventh solo exhibition, in the halls of the Revista Bohemia. Reconstructed, with a new design, the decoration of the dome of the Hotel Habana Riviera.

1975- Holds his twelfth solo exhibition in the halls of Radio Liberación.

1976 - Participates in the National Salon of Painting and Sculpture organized by the Consejo Nacional de Cultura of Matanzas.

1977- Participates in a group sculpture exhibition in Gallery "L" of the Universidad de La Habana.

1978 - Participates in the group exhibition, at the International Gallery.

1979 - Holds his thirteenth solo exhibition at the International Gallery.

1981 - Holds his fourteenth solo exhibition in the halls of the Ministry of Interior, the fifteenth in the House of Culture of the Cerro Municipality, the sixteenth in the Institute of Physical Culture and Sports "Comandante Fajardo". Participates in the Small Format Exhibition where he obtains mention for his work Figure, made in marble. Participates in group exhibitions organized by ICAP, where he donates a piece to Nicaragua; organized by the Culture Municipality of Havana Vieja and sent through the Fund of Cultural Assets to Suriname, Panama and Mexico. Receives the medal of Distinction for National Culture, awarded by the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba.

1982- Holds his seventeenth solo exhibition in honor of the II Congress of UNEAC at the Centro de Arte 23 y 12 Vedado and the eighteenth at the Pedagogical Institute "Enrique José Varona". Places a sculpture in direct concrete at the Hotel Sierra Maestra in Bayamo. Participates in the National Salon of UNEAC, in the Sculpture group exhibition held at the Pabellón Cuba; in the Sculpture Exhibition held at Parque Lenin and in the group exhibitions of the House of Culture of the Plaza Municipality and at the Provincial Center of Plastic Arts and Design. Receives the "Raúl Gómez García" medal at UNEAC.

1983 - Holds his nineteenth solo exhibition in the halls of the Revista Bohemia; where he is presented with a diploma for his cooperation with the Magazine. Places his work Crab in a park in Caibarién and a fountain and a relief in the Hotel Habana Riviera. Participates in the group exhibition organized by the Fund of Cultural Assets. Participates as a guest and jury member in the commemorative exhibition of the four hundred sixty-five Anniversary of the City of Havana. Participates in the Sculpture in the Revolution Exhibition held at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.

1984 - Retrospective Exhibition of Florencio Gelabert. In honor of the 80th anniversary of his birth. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.

1995- Dies on August 30, 1995.