Urbay, Jose

Jose Urbay is a Nova Scotia-based Cuban-Canadian artist. His artwork has been
exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Havana, Madrid, Venice, and Vancouver. He finds inspiration in his personal experiences, spirituality, nostalgia, and the beautiful Nova Scotia landscape. Some of his work is held in collections in United States, Cuba, Norway, and Italy.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My artistic practice is rooted in the late 1990s, shaped by the illustration and design principles I studied at the Instituto Superior de Diseño (ISDI) in Havana. My visual language is deeply informed by the heritage of Cuban Surrealism and my years as an illustrator. These influences drive my narrative approach, allowing me to ground each creative journey in my own memories and personal meanings. Since moving to Nova Scotia in 2022, my work has evolved into two distinct yet complementary streams. One body of work—primarily oil on canvas—offers a personal vision of the local rural scenery. In these pieces, space and distance become central characters; I use blurred backgrounds, similar to a camera’s depth-of-field effect, to create a sharp contrast with the focal point of the foreground. My palette often reflects the saturated light and vivid contrasts of the tropics, at times pushed toward an intentional oversaturation to evoke a subjective yearning for the warmth of the Caribbean. Simultaneously, I am developing a series of "underwater surrealism." These works utilize a monochromatic palette to delve into subconscious narratives, blending the coastal elements of Nova Scotia with memories of my country of origin. Through these two paths, I explore the tension between the world I see and the one I carry within me.