Cuba-based art collector Claudio Marinelli’s Una colección de arte cubano: Selección, análisis, opiniones, polémicas y aventuras de un coleccionista, which was translated from Italian to Spanish by Lourdes Arencibia, received an honorable mention this year as one of the best books on art published in English by the International Latino Book Awards 2011 hosted by Latino Literacy Now. The book was published in English as A Collection of Cuban Art: Selection, Analyses, Opinions, Polemics and Adventures of a Collector.

A Collection of Cuban Art was first presented last November at the Villa Manuela Gallery of the UNEAC headquarters in Havana by painter Juan Roberto Diago, translator Arencibia and the author, Claudio Marinelli. The book has also had great acclaim in Colombia, Miami, Venezuela and New York.

The Latino Book Awards were founded in 1999 in an effort to recognize Latino writers living both in the U.S. and Latin America. However, due to their increasing acclaim the number of nominated writers ramped up and they have now reached out to authors from other parts of the globe. The awards are currently divided in 58 categories and recognize contributions made to the Latino literature with works written in English, Spanish or both languages, in a vast array of genres ranging from children’s books to reference volumes, poetry, stories, essays, critical reviews and biographies. Marinelli’s book –the only one written in Cuba and awarded in this event- is the second volume put out by the Italian expert on the island nation.

Description: A Collection of Cuban Art presents the collection of Cuban art held by Claudio Marinelli. The book covers all characteristics of Cuban art from 1950 until today including such aspects as identification, galleries, exhibitions, auctions, and insights into the personal creative motivating factors for the artists. The author shares anecdotes about art and artists and his experiences of buying Cuban art as well as providing a comprehensive account of the establishment and development of the Cuban art scene, from its origins at the arrival of artists, photographers, and writers from Europe and America in the early 20th century to the formation of a number of artists’ collectives and prestigious art schools and colleges.

Featuring 90 black and white photographs and 100 beautiful colour illustrations showcasing Marinelli’s collection and a 40- page epilogue in which he relates his personal approach to identifying and collecting contemporary Cuban art as well as discussing values to the international collector, A Collection of Cuban Art is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in learning more about Cuban art and artists and the way it has been shaped and influenced by the country’s fascinating socio-political history.

Claudio Marinelli was born in Rome, Italy, and is a contemporary art collector who has spent much of his career in Cuba.

For original posts, see http://arteporexcelencias.com/en/news/2011-06-09/collection-cuba-art-marinelli.html and http://www.accdistribution.com/us/store/productsearch?showproduct=5149