Wilfredo Prieto's (1978, Sancti-Spiritus, Cuba) oeuvre is characterised by extreme minimalism, sarcasm and self-mockery. Ferran Barenblit, director of the CA2M in Madrid, describes Prieto's approach: 'Perhaps one of Wilfredo Prieto's cleverest tactics is his apparent invisibility in the relation between the work of art and the spectator.' In particular that neutral approach, the limited interference of the artist, enables the spectator to interpret his works in their own way. Barenblit: 'As the artist himself regularly says: "Ideas exist in the real world, just like clouds. You can see them and catch them". In a certain way Prieto reminds us of the fact that everyone could have done what he did'. Prieto allows the spectator a range of possibilities, 'a space of unprecedented richness, and this is what makes art a colossal and indispensable human activity.' (Ferran Barenblit, 'The Straightest Line', in: Wilfredo Prieto. Amarrado A La Pata De La Mesa, 2011).
His latest solo exhibitions were held at Fondazione Morra Greco, Naples (2019), Annet Gelink Gallery, Amsterdam (2018 & 2015), Mendes Wood DM Gallery, Sao Paolo (2017), Kurimanzuto, Mexico (2016), Museo de Arte Contemporaneo del Zulia, Maracaibo (2015), Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana, Havana (2015), S.M.A.K., Gent (2014), NMAC Foundation, Cadiz (2013), Sala de Arte Publico Siqueiros, Mexico (2012), 11th Havana Bienal, J and Calzada, Havana (2012), Praxis, ARTIUM, Vitoria (2011), Kunsthalle Lissabon, Lisbon (2011), Dia Art Foundation, New York (2007). Wilfredo Prieto's work has been included in numerous group exhibitions, including the Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills (2019), San Jose Museum of Art (2018), Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Rome (2018), Goodman Gallery, Cape Town (2017), the 12th Havana Biennal (2015), Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz, Linz (2014), Centre d`Art la Panera, Lleida (2014), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2014), Stedelijk Museum Bureau, Amsterdam (2013), Collateral Event of the 55th Venice Bienal, Venice (2013), Centro de Arte 2 de Mayo (CA2M), Móstoles, Madrid (2011), 29th Sao Paolo Biennial, Sao Paolo (2010), De Appel Arts Centre, Amsterdam (2010), 12th Venice Architecture Biennale (curated by Stefano Rabolli), Venice (2010), CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts, San Francisco (2009) and MoMA, New York (2008).
Prieto studied at Instituto Superior de Arte, Havana and has held residencies at Gasworks, London; Le Grand Cafe, St. Nazaire, France; John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, New York and the Kadist Art Foundation, Paris. He received The Cartier Award (Frieze, London, 2008) and the 2000 UNESCO Prize for the Promotion of the Arts (7th Havana Biennial, DUPP, Havana, 2000).