Julio Larraz

“I attempt to create a different reality where dreams serve as the foundations for a parallel universe.”

Julio Larraz (B. 1944) was born in Havana, Cuba and is recognized for his mastery of color, realistic depictions of everyday life in the Caribbean, and surrealist imagery. As a son of a newspaper publisher, he began to draw at a very early age. In 1961, his family moved to Miami, Florida forever leaving Cuba and moved to New York City in1964, where Larraz lived for the next five years. It was there that he began to draw political caricatures that were published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune and Vogue magazine, among others. (Read More)

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It wasn’t until 1967 when he began working full time as an artist, studying under various New York artists that includes Burt Silverman, for teaching him various complex painting techniques. His first solo show was in 1971 at the Pyramid Galleries in Washington, D.C. After this exhibition, his career exponentially grew and he had exhibitions at the New School for Social Research and FAR Gallery, both in New York City.

In 1976 he won awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the National Institute of Arts and Letters. The same year he was also awarded the Cintas Grant from the Institute of International Education. A year later, Larraz moved to San Patricio, New Mexico, fascinated by the light and atmosphere of the barren hills of the Hondo Valley. It was there that he met Ron Hall, his future dealer, who is based in Texas. In 1978 Larraz bought a house in Grandview, New York. There he met Nohra Haime whose New York gallery represented him until 1994. In 1983 he moved to Paris, remaining there for two years.

He now lives with his family in Miami, Florida after living in Florence, Italy for three years. Larraz is best known for his precise and detailed technique, his imagination, and his unique subtle touch, all of which have helped affirm his reputation as one of the most important contemporary Latin American painters.