Nelson Domínguez, 2009 National Fine Arts Prize

Cuban artist Nelson Domínguez (1947) received the 2009 National Arts Prize, the highest distinction awarded by the Cuban National Council of Fine Arts and the Ministry of Culture, in recognition of the lifetime artistic achievement of a creator living in Cuba. Formed for this purpose and presided over by José Villa (winner of the 2008 Prize), the jury unanimously chose Nelson ¿ who signs using only his first name ¿ because they considered him a consummate artist in several artistic disciplines, one who is continuously experimenting and who owns a poetic defined by social exploration and a humanistic dimension. The jury also took into account Nelson¿s long artistic trajectory, the multiple national and international recognitions he has received, his contributions as a teacher, and in the cultural field, through the creation of ¿ or his participation as an advisor in ¿ engraving workshops across the country, as well as the activities of his gallery-workshop Los Oficios, which his colleague and fellow jury panel member, Manuel López-Oliva, called ¿A Natural Factory.¿ Having previously been nominated for this Prize, Nelson received 10,000.00 Cuban pesos, a diploma, and a trophy. As part of the prize, he will also present an exhibition this year at National Museum of Fine Arts.