Osvaldo Salas

Salas is one of the photographers included in the tight group of creators of the so-called "Cuban epic photography," a singular creator who celebrates his centennial in 2014.

Osvaldo Salas lived more than three decades in the United States but "always had a longing for Cuba and it was clear that at some point he was going to return. And it wasn't about political matters but, simply, that he didn't want to tie himself down. His children were born there, but every time he had an opportunity he would return to Cuba; here he met his wife and here he got married and he was always looking for the possibility of being able to turn around. On January 2, 1959, the doors opened for his return and he did so that day in a rush.

Thanks to an assignment from the prestigious magazine Bohemia, which was published—and is still published in Havana—in 1955 Osvaldo Salas contacts a group of young people who opposed the government of Fulgencio Batista, the tyrant of the moment, and there, in the United States, he meets Fidel Castro: "this begins a relationship that lasted until my father's death," says Salas's son. Roberto Salas emphasized that his father left him his work as an inheritance to "promote it, to publicize it and to use it," however, he points out, "many of his copies were scattered around the world," today the family possesses all the original negatives—which are more than 200 thousand—he reveals.

When assessing Osvaldo's work, Roberto affirms, categorically, that—although his father worked in various fields—he was a portrait photographer par excellence and at the same time a horizontal photographer, that is, he always preferred "almost unconsciously the landscape format." He reiterated that although he never made a nude, he was not much of a landscape photographer either, however the man was indeed at the center of his gaze: "he could be an arts personality, or a field worker, or an old man sitting listening to a speech: the individual, the person was his great interest."

In 1990 Osvaldo Salas told the magazine El Caimán Barbudo: "the greatest emotion for an artist is to achieve what he sets out to do, to see it materialized; if others recognize it, that's very good, but if they don't perceive it the artist has already lived in intimacy that wonderful moment. I still have photos to take."

A whole concept, a philosophy of life, and also the certainty that he was an unsatisfied creator, an artist who despite recognition always felt the pleasure of creation: for his legacy, Osvaldo Salas is placed among the most outstanding photographers of the Cuban twentieth century.

Studies
1926 School of Fine Arts "San Alejandro," Havana, Cuba (not completed).

Professional Activity
1947 Inwood Camera Club (member), New York, U.S.A.
1950 Photography studio. Located on 50th Street, Manhattan, New York, U.S.A.
1950-1958 photographer (collaborator). Newspaper La Prensa, New York; Diario, New York; Visión, New York, U.S.A./El Clarín, Buenos Aires, Argentina /Alerta, Havana; Bohemia, Havana / Cinema Reporter, Mexico City, Mexico /Revista Depintura, Caracas, Venezuela.
1959-1960 photographer (collaborator). Newspaper Revolución, Havana, Cuba.
1960-1962 photographer and director of the Photography Section. Newspaper Revolución, Havana, Cuba.
1961 Founding member. Photography section, Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), Havana, Cuba.
1962-1963 organizer. Collective exhibition 10 Years of Revolution (which toured Europe and Asia).
1965 photographer, photography section, Ministry of Foreign Relations, Havana, Cuba.
1965-1986 photo-reporter. Newspaper Granma, Havana, Cuba.
1982 jury member. XIV National Exhibition of Graphic Propaganda "July 26" and the DOR Exhibition, Santa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba.
1986-1992 independent photographer.

Personal Exhibitions

1965
Images. Gallery of Havana, Havana, Cuba.
1965-1966
Images. Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea/Moscow, U.S.S.R./Cuban Culture House in Prague, Czechoslovakia/ France.
1970
Youth Column of the Centennial. Lenin Vestibule, Prague, Czechoslovakia / Moscow, U.S.S.R. /Berlin, German Democratic Republic.
1971
36 x 2 "The Color of Abstract Image." Osvaldo and Roberto Salas. Gallery of Havana, Havana, Cuba.
1974
60 x 30. Images of Yesterday and Today. Havana Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
1975
60 x 30. Ignacio Agramonte Museum, Camagüey, Cuba.
1976
Carnival 76. International Art Center, Havana, Cuba.
1978
Images of Cuba. Conference Room, University Library, Panama.
Images of Our America. Havana, Cuba.
1979
Osvaldo Salas. Photography. Art Gallery, National Institute of Culture, Panama.
Images of Cuba. Municipal Palace, Quito, Ecuador.
1981
Prints of Nicaragua. Amelia Peláez Gallery, Havana, Cuba / Rubén Darío Theater, Managua, Nicaragua.
Images of Cuba. Culture House "Enrique Rodríguez-Loeches," Agramonte, Jagüey Grande, Matanzas, Cuba.
Carnival Carifesta. Barbados.
Images of Our America. Servando Cabrera Moreno Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
1982
Nicaragua (parallel to Cuban Photography Award 1982) at Frank País Hospital, Havana, Cuba.
Images of Cuba. Art Center 23 and 12, Havana, Cuba.
Prints of Nicaragua. Universal Art Gallery, Nueva Gerona, Isle of Youth, Cuba.
Images of Our America. Cuban Culture House, Prague, Czechoslovakia.
Alicia Alonso and the National Ballet. Amelia Peláez Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
1982-1983
Images of Cuba (traveling exhibition). Moscow, Kiev, Leningrad, U.S.S.R.
1983
Osvaldo Salas. Photographs (traveling exhibition). Chapultepec Gallery, Mexico City, /Durango /Aguascalientes /Celaya /Puebla, Mexico.
Images of the 26th. Servando Cabrera Moreno Gallery/Union of Caribbean Construction Companies (UNECA), Havana, Cuba.
Osvaldo Salas and Ballet. Servando Cabrera Moreno Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
Images of Cuba. Swedish-Cuba Friendship Society, Stockholm, Sweden.
Osvaldo Salas Exhibition. Moscow, U.S.S.R.
1984
Osvaldo Salas. 70th Anniversary. National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba.
A Young Promise Turns 70. Servando Cabrera Moreno Gallery/ Karl Marx Theater, Havana, Cuba.
3 Cuban Photographers (Salas, Mayito and Marucha). São Paulo Cultural Center, São Paulo, Brazil.
Osvaldo Salas. 70th Anniversary. Cuban Fund of Cultural Assets, Havana, Cuba.
Images of Cuba. "José Martí" International Airport, Havana, Cuba /Museum of Fine Arts, La Paz, Bolivia.
1985
Jazz'85. Habana Gallery, Havana/Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba.
Images of Cuba. Procochabamba Committee, Bolivia.
Images of Cuba and the World. FAR Central House, Havana, Cuba.
1986
Salaschrome. Domingo Ravenet Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
Salaschrome (parallel to Second Havana Biennial). Servando Cabrera Moreno Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
1988
Jazz'88. National Theater, Havana, Cuba.
Two Cuban Artists (Nelson Domínguez/Osvaldo Salas) (traveling exhibition). Legnano/Montagnana/Veneto, Italy.
Journey Around an Island (traveling exhibition). Milan/Florence/Venice / Montagnana/Porto del Venede/Diva Garda/Collegno, Italy.
1989
Prints of Italy. Habana Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
Tribute to Osvaldo Salas on his 75th Birthday. X Week of Culture at the Beach. Museum of the Fighting People's March, Havana, Cuba.
1990
Restoration of Old Havana. Church of Santa Rita, Rome, Italy.
1991
Cuba-Quebec [Osvaldo Salas-Daniel Mallard]. Museum of Civilization, Quebec, Canada.
1992
Alberto Díaz "Korda" and Osvaldo Salas. Railowsky Photo-Gallery, Valencia, Spain.
Osvaldo Salas. Photographer. Retrospective Exhibition. International Press Center, Havana, Cuba.
1993
Tribute Exhibition to Two Cuban Photographers: Osvaldo Salas and Alfredo Sarabia. José Peón Contreras Theater, Yucatán, Mexico.
1996
Dark Cuba. Osvaldo and Roberto Salas. Colorado, U.S.A.
1997
The Che 1960-1965. Photographs by Osvaldo and Roberto Salas. Galerie Le Monde del l'Art, Paris, France.
1999
Osvaldo Salas/Roberto Salas. Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Group Exhibitions (selection)

1961
Notes and Photographs of the First of May. Municipal Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
1962
10 Years of Revolution. National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba (and other venues in Europe and Asia).
1966
Interpress Photo'66. U.S.S.R.
1970
Salon 70. National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba.
1971
National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC). Havana, Cuba.
1972
II National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC). Cuba.
1973
III National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC). Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
1973/1975/1982/1983/1986/1992
Asahi Shimbun International Photography Salon 33/35/42/43/46/52. Tokyo, Japan.
1975
Habitat 75. Cuba Pavilion, Havana, Cuba.
V National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC). Santa Clara, Las Villas, Cuba.
1976
VI National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC). Pinar del Río, Cuba.
1977
VII National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC). Friendship House, Camagüey, Cuba.
1978
Made in Latin America I. First Exhibition of Contemporary Latin American Photography. Museum of Modern Art, Mexico City, Mexico.
VIII National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC). Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
1979
History of Cuban Photography. Carrillo Gil Art Museum, Mexico City, Mexico.
Latin American Evening. International Photography Meetings. Arles, France.
Made in Latin America. Photography: Venice '79. Palazzo Fortuny, Venice, Italy.
1980
X National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC). Ciego de Avila, Cuba.
The March of the Fighting People. Rubén Martínez Villena Room, UNEAC Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
1981
Contemporary Latin American and Caribbean Photography Award. Latin American Gallery, House of the Americas, Havana, Cuba.
1982
Cuban Photography Award 1982. Salon 23 and M, Havana Libre Hotel, Havana, Cuba.
Landscape Salon'82. National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba.
5 + 1 Cubans. Latin American Space, Paris, France.
City Salon 1982. Provincial Center of Plastic Arts and Design, Havana, Cuba.
UNEAC Plastic Arts Salon'82. National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba.
1983
Cuban Photography 1959-1982. Westbeth Gallery, New York, U.S.A.
Beach Salon'83. Servando Cabrera Moreno Gallery, Havana, Cuba.
Photography in Cuba. Retrospective Exhibition. National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba.
XIII National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC), Havana, Cuba.
1984
Fotografie Kuba. Palace of the Republic, Berlin, German Democratic Republic.
1st Havana Biennial. National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba.
UNEAC Plastic Arts Salon 1984. National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba.
1985
Cuba: A View from Within. 20 Cuban Photographers. Ledel Gallery, New York, U.S.A.
UNEAC Plastic Arts Salon 1985. National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba.
32nd Anniversary of the Assault on Moncada Barracks. Embassy of Cuba, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Jazz'85. Plaza Culture House, Havana, Cuba.
1986
Cuba: A View from Within. Photographic Resource Centre, Boston University, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
1987
Sicof'87. Cultural Section. Palazzo Cisi, Milan, Italy.
Photojazz'87. Plaza Culture House, Havana, Cuba.
Cuban Photography of the 60s. Photo Archive of Cuba, Havana, Cuba.
1988
UNEAC Plastic Arts Salon '87. Cuba Pavilion, Havana, Cuba.
Tribute. Photo Archive of Cuba, Havana, Cuba.
1990
A Call from the Island Cuba. Days of Cuban Culture. Italian-Latin American Institute, Rome, Italy.
Landscape Salon '90. Art Center, Guantánamo, Cuba.
UNEAC Plastic Arts Salon'90. National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba.
1991
Cuba (1841-1991): Time and Image. Photo Archive of Cuba, Havana, Cuba.
Contemporary Cuban Photography 150 Images. (exhibition parallel to the Fourth Havana Biennial). International Press Center, Havana, Cuba.
1992
Contemporary Cuban Photography (150th Anniversary). Mexican Atheneum of Photography, Mexico City, Mexico.
150 Years of Cuban Photography. Jorge Martínez Gallery, School of Plastic Arts, University of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
1993
Graphics and Photography of Cuba. Cuba in Michoacán. Gallery of Michoacan Masters, Morelia, Mexico.
The Unfaithful Image. Photo Archive of Cuba, Havana, Cuba.
150 Years of Cuban Photography. Cultural Center "Jaime Torres Bodet," Zacatenco, Mexico.
A Song to Reality. Latin American Photography 1860-1993. House of the Americas, Madrid, Spain.
1994
45 Years of Cuban Photography (traveling exhibition), Brazil.
45 Years of Cuban Photography. Latin American Gallery, House of the Americas, Havana, Cuba.
1995
The Last 50 Years of Cuban Photography (1st Part). 8th Month of Image at Dieppe. Town Hall, Dieppe, France.
1998
Cuba: 100 Years of Photography. House of the Americas, Madrid, Spain.

Awards
1948
1st Prize. Annual Contest of the Inwood Camera Club, Class B, New York, U.S.A.
1949
Selected among the ten best photographers, Class A, Inwood Camera Club, New York, U.S.A.
1965
Third Prize. Albania Magazine, Albania.
1966
Special mention. Interpress Photo'66, Moscow, U.S.S.R.
Mention. Sports Photography Contest, Spain.
Award from the "July 26" contest, Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC), Havana, Cuba.
1971
First and Third Prize. Portrait genre. I National Photography Salon "July 26," Union of Journalists of Cuba, Havana, Cuba.
1972
1st Prize. Portrait genre. II National Photography Salon "July 26," Union of Journalists of Cuba, Havana, Cuba.
Prize. Havana Carnival Contest, Havana, Cuba.
Third Prize. Annual contest, Pravda newspaper, Moscow, U.S.S.R.
1973
20th Anniversary Prize and Award for Historical Photography. III National Photography Salon "July 26," Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC), Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
"Alfredo López" Medal, National Union of Press and Book Workers, Havana, Cuba.
1973/1975/1982/1983/1986/1992
Asahi Shimbun International Photography Salon Award, editions 33/35/42/43/46/52, Tokyo, Japan.
1974
First and Second Prizes. Havana Carnival Contest, Havana, Cuba.
Award from the Central Committee of Soviet Trade Unions for the best expression of international solidarity. Documentary and Artistic Photography Exhibition "Peace is Necessary for All" Moscow, U.S.S.R.
1975
Third Prize in Historical Photography and Mention in News Photography. V National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC), Santa Clara, Las Villas, Cuba.
1976
Prize in Historical Photography, Prize in portrait, 2nd Mention in portrait, Mention in landscape. VI National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC), Pinar del Río, Cuba.
1977
Prize. VII National Photography Salon "July 26," Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC), Friendship House, Camagüey, Cuba.
Best photo-reporter of the year, Havana, Cuba.
First Prize and Special Prize. Havana Carnival Contest, Havana, Cuba.
1978
Mention in Historical Photography, Mention in Photographic Experimentation. VIII National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC), Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
Special prize. XI World Festival of Youth and Students, Havana, Cuba.
1980
1st Prize in Color Photography. X National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC), Ciego de Avila, Cuba.
1981
Order for National Culture, Council of State, Republic of Cuba, Havana, Cuba.
1982
Mention. UNEAC Plastic Arts Salon'82, National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana, Cuba.
"After the 60s" Award Cuban Mission to UNESCO, Paris, France.
1983
Portrait Prize. XIII National Photography Salon "July 26". Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC), Havana, Cuba.
1983
International Master in Press Photography, International Organization of Journalists, Damascus, Syria.
"Félix Elmuza" Distinction, Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC), Havana, Cuba.
"Raúl Gómez García" Order, National Union of Culture Workers, Havana, Cuba.
1984
1st Prize. New Times Magazine (Spanish edition), U.S.S.R.
Third Prize. The Soviet Woman Magazine (Spanish edition), U.S.S.R.
1985
Mentions (3). UPEC Salon'85, Havana, Cuba.
1st Mention. Havana Carnival Contest, Havana, Cuba.

Source: Galería-Cubarte, Havana Radio