Raúl Corrales Fornos

Cuban photographer. The Artist has exhibited his works in different galleries throughout the country, where he has achieved great results during his professional and personal trajectory.

He was born in Ciego de Ávila. Throughout his life he worked as a photographer for multiple publications.

Since 1961 he was a founding member of the Photography Section of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), Havana. Recognition for his work as a photographer throughout his artistic life was bestowed upon him at the Instituto Superior de Arte. The title of Doctor of Honoris Causa in Art was conferred upon Raúl Corrales Fornos at a ceremony held at the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA).

His activity began in 1944, first as a laboratory assistant and later as a photo-reporter at the Cuba Sono Films Agency. He then went on to collaborate with the publications Carteles, Bohemia, Última Hora and Hoy.

From 1957 to 1958 he was director of photography at the Siboney advertising agency and from 1959 to 1961 he was the accompanying photographer for Fidel Castro. During that period he was also a contributor to magazines such as Revolución and INRA.

In 1961, Corrales was one of the founders of the photography section of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba and from 1964 to 1991, he was head of the microfilm and photography section of the Office of Historical Affairs of the Council of State.

The Rectoral Resolution conferring upon the master of photography this high distinction was proposed for his outstanding work as a chronicler of the Revolution and for contributing his talent to the national cultural heritage maintained for decades. The president of the National Council of Fine Arts Rafael Acosta D´Arriba, affirmed that the recognition has been the product of great work throughout his artistic life, recognized both within and outside the country.

The ceremony was attended by Abel Prieto and other cultural figures, as well as pianist Chucho Valdés and his quartet who delighted those present with the world premiere of the piece "Toccata and Fugue". Just before leaving, Corrales commented to Juventud Rebelde: "in photography there are no rehearsals, the path I have walked has been very long, where I have had successes and failures and I do not regret what I have done, up to today."

Personal Exhibitions
In 1980 "35 with the 35" at Galería de La Habana. Five years later in 1985 he exhibits "Tribute to Raúl Corrales", Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana. In 1987 "Cuba, Images of History", FUNARTE Gallery, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1993 "Visa pour l'Image" 5th International Festival of Photoreportage. Perpignan, France. In 2002 he exhibits his images in the exhibition "Raúl Corrales" at Couturier Gallery, Los Angeles, California, United States.

Group Exhibitions

In a selection of his multiple group exhibitions we can mention in 1966 "First Exhibition of Cuban Culture", Cuba Pavilion. In 1981 he participates in the exhibition on the occasion of the Latin American and Caribbean Contemporary Photography Award at the Latin American Gallery, Casa de las Américas, Havana. In 1984 he participates in the 1st Biennial of Havana, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Already in 2002 his works participate in "Cuba 1960-2000. Sogno e realtá", Italian Foundation for Photography, Turin, Italy.

Awards

Among the awards obtained during his career, the following can be mentioned:
Doctor Honoris Causa in Art.
Prize Fine Arts Salon UNEAC, 1979, Centro de Arte Internacional, Havana.
Cuban Photography Award 1982, Salon 23 y M, Hotel Habana Libre. Prize. Fine Arts Salon UNEAC'82, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana.
In 1996 he was awarded the National Prize for Fine Arts. Ministry of Culture, Cuba.
1982. "Alejo Carpentier" Medal.
1988. "Félix Varela" Order.
1996. National Prize for Fine Arts.
Collections

His works are part of the collections of the Photography Archive of Cuba, Havana, Casa de las Américas, Havana, Cuba. From the Centro Studi e Archivio della Comunicazione, University of Parma, Italy. From the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Havana, Cuba. Among many other institutions.

He died on April 15, 2006, in Havana, Cuba.

Source: Ecured