b. 1964, Havana, Cuba

Alono Mateo is a Cuban-born Postwar and Contemporary painter who began his studies at the Instituto Superior de Arte (The University of the Arts of Cuba) in Havana. Later, Mateo emigrated to Mexico, where he resided until 1990. He eventually made his way to the United States, and after a brief stay in Miami, Mateo relocated to Las Vegas where he now lives and works.

Mateo’s works are conceptions influenced by mass culture, with influences ranging from twentieth-century pop culture, to classical European aristocracies. Occupying the intriguing space between classicism and modernity is a cornerstone to Mateo’s practice. Advertising imagery and iconic figures float above Baroque color palettes and patterning, creating juxtapositions between new and old that subtly entice deeper commentaries on cultural values.

Alonso Mateo has exhibited in the United States and abroad. His works are part of major collections in England, France, Spain, Mexico, and the United States.