The Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida will present more than 60 works by 10 Cuban women artists in the landmark exhibition Layered Lives opening Aug. 25, 2026. Originating from the Discoveries in Art Certilman Family Collection, the exhibition brings together three decades of photography, paintings, ceramics and prints illustrating the resilience, innovation and expansive creativity of Cuban women artists whose layered stories continue to shape our understanding of Cuba and its diaspora. The exhibition will be on view through Jan. 3, 2027.
Layered Lives features work by artists Belkis Ayón, Ariamna Contino, Aimée García, Rocío García, Alejandra Glez, Elsa Mora, Mabel Poblet, Sandra Ramos, Adislen Reyes and Linet Sánchez. The works can be approached in diverse ways as they contain many interconnected stories and meanings. As viewers explore these layers, they gain a deeper sense of the complex experiences, identities, emotions and perspectives of Cuban women. The exhibition design draws inspiration from water and is organized in a fluid, circular installation offering multiple points of entry culminating in a central, site-specific work by Mabel Poblet. The work will feature thousands of miniature square photographs printed on mirror fragments resembling a cascading waterfall exploring the female body, their connection to water and memory.
“There has not been a sustained survey dedicated to examining the breadth of work produced by Cuban women artists of the post 1990s generation,” said Dr. Sara Garzón, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the Harn Museum of Art. “Layered Lives seeks to address that absence, bringing together artists whose practices challenge conventions, expand artistic discourse and offer nuanced perspectives on the social, cultural and personal realities that shape contemporary life.”
Layered Lives provides multiple ways for visitors to connect to the art and artists, both in the gallery space and through programming. Interpretive text is offered in both English and Spanish providing access for a larger audience. Audio commentary by each artist, also in English and Spanish, is accessible through visitors’ mobile devices providing insights into their lives and work. Special programming includes a lecture “After Utopia: Feminist Practice in Contemporary Cuban Art” by Dr. Jasmine Kaur Chohan, Assistant Curator of Contemporary British Art, Tate Britain, scheduled for Oct. 1, 2026.
“Layered Lives underscores the richness and complexity of contemporary Cuban art while reaffirming the Harn Museum of Art’s commitment to amplifying artistic practices from across the Americas and the Caribbean,” said Dr. Lee Anne Chesterfield, Director of the Harn Museum of Art. “We are looking forward to honoring the work of Cuban women and sharing their histories with the academic body of the University of Florida and the larger North Central Florida region.”
The exhibition is curated by Arianne Kolb, art historian and independent curator, and Sara Garzón, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the Harn Museum of Art. Layered Lives is drawn from the Discoveries in Art Certilman Family Collection and organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA.
The Presenting Sponsors for this exhibition are James and Sara Toussaint with additional support provided by Laura L. Berns; Harrison Estate Law; Visit Gainesville, Alachua County; and other generous donors.
For more information visit www.harn.ufl.edu/layeredlives. Admission is free.
About the Discoveries in Art Certilman Family Collection
Over more than 25 years, Steven Certilman and Terri Frank have acquired a significant collection of important contemporary art created by artists living or born in Cuba. The collection is sourced primarily from the artists directly, mostly during their frequent travels to Cuba, and their substantial holdings track the creative journey of many artists throughout their careers. Through their organization, Discoveries in Art, they aim to promote Cuban art and artists with exhibitions and publications, fostering goodwill, appreciation for enormous talent of these artists and respect between the people of the United States and our neighbors to the south.
About the Harn Museum of Art
Founded in 1990, the Harn Museum of Art is an integral part of the University of Florida. The Harn contributes to an interconnected, international community by integrating the arts and culture into curricula throughout the university’s system of colleges and centers. Its holdings include nearly 14,000 works in five main collecting areas: Asian art, African art, photography, modern art of the Americas and Europe, and international contemporary art. The museum also has noteworthy collections of Oceanic, Ancient American art and works on paper. In addition to rotating installations drawn from its permanent collection, the Harn organizes traveling exhibitions and virtual educational programs for adults, students and children.
The Harn Museum of Art, at 3259 Hull Road in Gainesville, Florida, is part of the University of Florida’s Cultural Plaza, which is also home to the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am – 9 pm Thursday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information visit harn.ufl.edu.
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Media Contact:
Tami Wroath
Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Harn Museum of Art
352.294.7067
twroath@harn.ufl.edu
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