Yuri Martinez Ramos was born in Havana, Cuba on November 24, 1964.

He studied at the Elemental School of Plastic Arts from 1975 – 1979 and the National School of the Arts from 1979 – 1983.

Martinez’ figurative paintings have been compared to Botero because of his satirical social commentary. His style, however, is uniquely his own with typically vibrant Latin colors and use of expressive magical realism. His paintings tell his story and the story of the Cuban dilemma.

Martinez was granted permission by the US Justice Department after much effort with Cuban authorities to come to the US with his family and pursue his career outside Cuba. He now lives and works in Texas.

Papillon Gallery had three successful one-man exhibitions for him in the gallery in Los Angeles, many collectors and celebrities purchased his paintings.

Martinez’ works are in collections in Germany, Puerto Rico, Chile, Mexico, Panama, and the United States: Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco.

He has displayed at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, CA.

Martinez’s artworks are figurative oil on canvas paintings that depict the reality, dreams, and fantasies of the society in which we live. He has developed a style influenced by the magical realism typical of Latin American culture. Life and existence inspire both his artwork and how he expresses himself. Social events, personal dreams, anxiety, and the beauty of human nature are the main ingredients of his art.