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Karel Garcia de Leon (b. December 27, 1990)

A Cuban-born artist and architect whose work explores themes of identity, equality, and human connection.

From an early age, Karel demonstrated a strong inclination for the arts, studying drawing in vocational workshops for children and youth. During his formative years, he attended creative painting, drawing, and clay sculpture courses at the Casa de la Cultura de Plaza in Vedado, Cuba, while preparing for admission to the prestigious San Alejandro Academy of Fine Arts.

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Despite his passion for visual arts, Karel chose to pursue a career in architecture, earning his degree in 2017. While working as an architect, he reconnected with his artistic practice, participating in private exhibitions and joining projects that merged psychology and art at the Habana Espacio Creativo Center. His work in this space led to his first solo exhibition, centered on themes of sexuality and equality, marking the beginning of his ongoing Human series—an exploration of the human form and social constructs through large-scale works.

Due to social and political circumstances, Karel emigrated from Cuba to the United States, where he continues to evolve as an artist. Now based in Florida, he has exhibited in group shows at The Factory and Estudios 5663. Currently, he is a resident artist in the Green Book of Tampa Bay program, working from his studio in the Warehouse Arts District of St. Petersburg, Florida.

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