PLAYBOY x DARIEN VARONA
- THE CREATIVE CUBA -
The painter from the Caribbean island tells us about his inspiration, his present and even his relationship with censorship. One of the greatest satisfactions he has is knowing that part of his works live in people's homes.
138 PLAYBOY MÉXICO MARCH 2023, Darien Varona
What is your name, and what do you do?
My name is Darien Varona Gonzales, and I am a professional painter.
What are the techniques in which you specialize?
I have been an artist my entire professional career and have fallen in love with Acrylic paints. I specialize in using Acrylic paints on canvas in all its forms, brushes, airbrush, markers, and aerosol. I love the vibrancy you can capture with acrylic colors that you can't get in other mediums.
Did you formally study?
Yes, I studied fine art at university.
For you, what is art?
Art means so much to me. It's more than just the process of expressing emotions. It's an escape from reality, representing a way of life and the idea of infinite possibilities. The paintings I create become my family, and I carry a piece of them with me forever. I have always loved the idea of my work being in people's homes, bringing joy to them in other parts of the world. In the past two years, I have been very fortunate to sell work outside the borders of Cuba. It brings me immense pride knowing that while I live in Havana, my work has transcended the boundaries and become international.
The art I create genuinely means everything to me, and I hope my artistic career is just beginning.
What does Playboy represent for you?
Growing up, Playboy was considered contraband in Cuba. There was no place in the entire country to buy them. This meant that the magazine was a coveted rarity. I still remember holding my first issue as a kid that was smuggled in through friends. I remember looking at it in Awe and wonder.
To me, Playboy represented freedom, the American Dream, and an idealized vision of beauty that I fell in love with.
When I started painting, the Playboy vision Playboy was my source of inspiration, and I strove to capture the beauty of the curves depicted in their photographs.
LOL, In short, I have always loved the magazine
Tell me about the piece you created for this special.
I wanted to create a painting full of contrasts, from the opulent dripping gold paint in the background against a plain cement grey surface to the exposed woman partially hidden behind the leather mask. The concept is that nothing is quite as it seems and that beauty is much more than simply a skin-deep veneer. The woman, mask, and dripping gold symbolize the evolution of beauty and its complex and dynamic nature.
What are the obstacles an artist faces in carrying out his work?
In Cuba, artists have many challenges; almost everything is more complicated here. Getting quality supplies, quality colors, and stretched canvases. It's impossible to describe the struggles artists face in Cuba fully.
Have you faced censorship?
Of course, I paint the sensual, so naturally; my work faces censorship sometimes. It is funny; even though I live in Cuba, the biggest censorship I face is on Instagram.
Who are the artists that have influenced you?
I have always drawn inspiration from classical masters. Caravaggio and Salvador Dali are two of my favorites, while I love the whimsical and erotic nature of Luis Ricardo's masterpieces. Modern Artists whose work I love are Tony Kelly (who photographs for Playboy all the time), Philippe Shangti, and Mario Battaglia. I try and blend whimsical, erotic themes with hyperrealism into a unique surreal blend that is inspired by modern photography creatives and classical painters.
Do you like technology? Do you incorporate it into what you do?
Of course, I love technology. But I am also a purist who likes to produce my art with my hands. I use a digital sketchpad during the creative brainstorming process as it allows me to work through numerous concepts efficiently, perfecting my layouts. However, the final painting that appears on the canvas is 100% handmade from a blank canvas.
What have been your main achievements, exhibitions, and goals?
Three years I met Ben Gulak, founder of Kulture Cartel, at the Havana Art Market and joined their team of talented artists. Since then, my work has been sold internationally through Graffik Gallery in London and Addictive Art House in Palm Beach, FL. Kulture Cartel has helped bring my work to the global market and expand outside of Cuba, and I'm very excited about what the future holds.
What projects do you have on the horizon?
I believe that my artistic career is only getting started. My following ambitions are to see my work on display at some of the global Art Fairs. I recently became a resident of the UAE and am looking forward to participating in World Art Dubai 2023.
Beyond that, I don't want to jinx things, but I have always dreamed of displaying my work in Miami during Art Basel. Miami is such a cultural hub, and artists come from all over the world to present and create murals in Wynwood. Growing up in Cuba, Miami has always felt so close and also impossibly far away at the same time. So, being able to present my work in Miami would be a dream come true.
