Josignacio

José Ignacio Sánchez Rius, better known as Josignacio, is a contemporary Cuban artist who is associated with neo-figurative and abstract painting.

Born in Havana, Cuba, on October 24, 1963,he has resided in the USA since 1989. Josignacio is one of the artists of the controversial "La Generacion de los 80" The 80s Generation Contemporary Cuban Art or New Cuban Art is a movement within the Cuban plastic arts that develops from the 80s, they express as no manifestation of conscience, many burning issues of the reality of the country. A new attitude towards art is established, a moment of artistic inspiration in which the social role of art and its reflection of a critical self-awareness constitute the fundamental sense of the movement The decade of the 1980s culturally contrasted a Cuba that was in a process of transition, confrontation and artistic revelations that consecrated the time as one of the most fertile. And those artists that get notoriety in the Island and abroad at that time, which includes and beginning in 1981 with the breakthrough of “Volume I” Rubén Torres Llorca, José Bedia Valdés, de:Ricardo Brey, Juan Francisco Elso, Rogelio López Marín (Gory), Gustavo Pérez Monzón, José Manuel Fors, Leandro Soto Ortiz, Israel León, Tomás Sánchez and Carlos Alfonzo. In the second half of the decade, other groups are formed as 4 x 4, Hexágono, Arte Calle, Grupo Provisional, the duet René Francisco Rodríguez and Eduardo Ponjuán González ABTV, among others, being the strongest “Grupo Puré” with a new wave of young artists all graduated from ISA: Ana Albertina Delgado Álvarez, Adriano Buergo, Ciro Quintana, Ermi Taño and Lázaro Saavedra which were greatly influenced by the German Kitsch art movement to express themselves. In addition, a large number of talented creators also excelled independently like Florencio Gelabert (sculptor), Arturo Cuenca Sigarreta, Rigoberto Mena, Humberto Castro, Gustavo Acosta, Kcho, Antonio Eligio Fernandez (Tonel), Adriano Buergo, Flavio Garciandía, Tania Bruguera, Juan Francisco Elso, Carlos Rodríguez Cárdenas, Quisqueya Henríquez, Glexis Novoa, José Toirac, Carlos García, Heriberto Mora, Segundo Planes and Pedro Vizcaíno among others.

Some of his artwork are available on display at artnet.

In 1984, he created the Plastic Paint Medium, a technique consisting of the use of epoxy resins as an "agglutinating medium" and "pigment" as colorants, obtaining a real plastic finish with a new visual effect.

Josignacio resides in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.

As a child a number of well known artists who were family friends visited his household, such as Roberto Fabelo, René Portocarrero, Amelia Peláez, Felipe López, Mariano Rodriguez "El Gallego Posada" and Gilberto Marino, many of whom gave Josignacio art lessons. In 1983 passed the admissions test at the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) however before attending Josignacio shaved his head, when he came to school to attend the Dean banned him from the premises and from attending because they interpreted his head shaving as protest against the government.

In 1984 working as a helping hand for Martinez Anay and Andres Ugalde in the making of a big mural painting for the Military Patriotic Educational Society known as Sociedad de Educación Patriótico-Militar (SEPMI) (the Cuban version of the Boy Scouts). This agency had been directed by Cuban Cosmonaut Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez. It was during this time Josignacio discovered that mixing epoxy resin with oil paintings was an excellent medium to paint with.

This new medium took him two years to develop and master. When he was ready his Uncle Gerardo got him his first personal exhibition at the Artistic and Literary Lyceum of the city of Regla on March 2, 1987. This was the first time that a complete paintings exhibition was made with only the plastic paint medium and had been displayed worldwide.

In 1988, Josignacio as a member of the "Asociación Hermanos Saíz" was commissioned by their directives to make the design of one of the Havana Carnival's Floats.As soon as he finished the design, he presented it to the commission and they canceled him arguing that they needed to give the Float design to another Cuban painter, Manuel Mendive; the reason was that in Miami one of Mendive's paintings titled "El Pavo Real" had been burned by an anti-Castro militant a member of the Bay of Pigs Brigade 2506 and at that moment was necessary to give the revolution's support to the victim artist.

Since then his artwork had been on display at more than 20 exhibitions before finally being invited to exhibit his art in Mexico City on May 10, 1989.

With no explanation being given to him, all his planned shows at Auditorio Nacional (Mexico) The Gallery of the National Auditorium and Los Talleres de Coyoacán were cancelled by orders of the Cuban embassy in Mexico City. After this turning point, he made the decision to come to the USA on September 14, 1989 and has resided there since then. Josignacio is an American Citizen.

The Cuban abstract art have been very scarce or considerable silenced after 1960 and most of the abstract artists were very influenced by the cubism movement (which wasn't of much interest by Josignacio) and two groups were formed in the late 1950s, one Los Once (The Eleven) where the most prominent trends were the Informalism or Art Informel and concrete abstraction. The most outstanding figures of this abstract current joined in the group Los Once, as they were called by the initial number of participants which were formed by and they were: fr:Guido Llinás, Hugo Consuegra, René Salusitano Ávila Valdéz [es], Antonio Vidal Fernández, Viredo Espinosa, Fayad Jamís, Tomás Oliva, Agustín Cárdenas, José Antonio Díaz Peláez [es], Francisco Antigua, José Ignacio Bermúdez Vázquez [es] and Diez Pintores Concretos [es] (Ten Concrete Painters) whom were a radical group formed in Havana, Cuba in 1958, devoted to geometric abstraction. The Ten was formalized as a group in 1959 with its inaugural exhibition entitled “10 concrete painters exhibit paintings and drawings”, organized on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Color Light Art Gallery, a space managed by artists co-founded by Dolores Soldevilla Nieto and his partner Pedro de Oraá in 1957 to promote abstract art in Havana and was integrated by Pedro Carmelo Alvarez López, Mario Carreño Morales, Wilfredo Arcay Ochandarena, Salvador Corratgé, Sandú Darié Laver [es], Luis Martínez Pedro, Alberto Menocal, José Mijares, Pedro de Oraá, José Ángel Rosabal Fajardo, Dolores Soldevilla Nieto and Rafael Soriano. These artists briefly called themselves Los Diez Pintores Concretos — the 10 Concrete Painters — or, simply, Los Diez, the 10. Formally, their collective had a short life, 1959–61, and showed together as a group only three times. It was the culmination of nearly a decade of work, friendships, writing, lectures, sojourns and shows in Paris and New York, as well as local exhibitions. The group coalesced around Galería Color-Luz (Color-Light), which was started in Havana in 1957 by Lolo Soldevilla [es] (1901–1971), just after she returned from several years in Paris as Cuba's cultural attaché. She was an artist with energy to burn, judging by the works representing her here. Her partner in the effort, another member of the 10, was Pedro de Oraá, an artist, poet and art critic, born in 1931, who would write a short history of the group. That's why since his youth Josignacio only through art books was influenced by the abstract expressionists of the New York School (art); especially Jackson Pollock from whom he got the use of dripping and pouring paint on canvases but with pigmented epoxy resins instead of alkyd enamels, however, Dutch painter Karel Appel faces and Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky mix of colorshave had a special focus. From Dutch-American Willem de Kooning he got the centered figure compositionsThe color palette of Josignacio is very extensive, but the spectrum of green mixed deliberately with bright reds and blacks has been his personal seal and what, along with his personal style of execution, has kept him (despite the influences) in a distinct and perfectly identifiable position. In his childhood Josignacio had been more motivated by color than by forms, a distinguishing factor in his artwork that was often noted among his older painters colleagues such as René Portocarrero, José Gómez Fresquet [es] and Raúl Martínez (artist) closed friends of his family, which pushed and encourage him to keep in his abstract track. However, in his first art exhibition on March 2, 1987 in the Gallery of the Artistic and Literary Lyceum of Regla he included his self-portrait, which he did according to academic style, the rest of paintings were all abstracts. It was from this point of time, that his future as an abstract/neo-figurative painter had been decided.

Josignacio has contributed to social causes. Most recently Josignacio is known for raising funds for the 2010 Haiti earthquake victims. For both Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Andrew, Josignacio helped raise funds for the victims. In 1992 after Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida he organized an auction with more than 100 Cuban painters for victims of the tragedy. In the early 1990s Josignacio helped raise funds for AIDS organizations such as "The Project Genesis." Since 1996 Josignacio has helped raise funds for the Miami Children's Hospital. His most recent donation was to Hedge Funds Care, an international charity, whose sole mission is preventing and treating child abuse and supported largely by the hedge fund industry.

Since 2010 Josignacio have being supporting several Russian Charity Organizations, mostly those focused on children with autism, disabilities or special needs by fully donating his artworks to be sold.

On November 25, 2011, Josignacio unveiled an 8-foot x 12 foot mural titled 'Tree of Life' in Asbury Park, New Jersey at the Asbury Park Transportation on Main Street. The 'Tree of Life' was an original triptych art that consisted of three consecutive paintings that represented a convergence of the past, present and future to create an image of humanity. The 'Tree of Life', then valued at $180,000, was dedicated to the children of Asbury Park, NJ and was commissioned by The Caring Canvas, a premier traveling art gallery. The triptych mural artwork is permanently located at the Asbury Park Transportation Center on Main Street in Asbury Park, NJ.

On January 13, 2017, La Casa de Artes y Tradiciones Chinas acquired Josignacio's artwork titled "Fénix" a 105.5 x 55 inches, plastic paint medium on wood to be on public display at their permanent collection.

On October 18, 2017, The National Library of Cuba José Martí, for its permanent collection acquired the exhibited diptych “Mi verso es de un verde claro y de un carmín encendido” / “My verse is light green and a carmine in fire” depicting a portraits of Martí. The artwork will be on permanent display at the public gallery.

• 1979 - Awarded first prize in painting at the Escuela Vocacional Militar Camilo Cienfuegos de Guanabacoa, Havana.
• 1980 - Awarded first prize in painting at the Escuela Vocacional Militar Camilo Cienfuegos de Guanabacoa, Havana.
• 1996 - Awarded the "Best in Show Prize" at Hortt 38 jury art show exhibition at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
• 2000 - Titled the "Chief Painter of lle lfe" for the best interpretation through color of the Yoruba Religion.
• 2015 - The City of Miami officially salutes Josignacio for his achievements in the City of Miami.

On December 23, 2014, a painting by Josignacio titled "The Three Wisest Monkeys", dated 1991, was sold for a hammer price of US$720,000 at Pangaea Auction House in Las Vegas. Notably, this painting set Josignacio as the most expensive living Cuban artist in the world by surpassing Tomas Sanchez, who previously held the record at $540,000.(Source: Artprice.com™ database)

On December 15, 2015, a painting by Josignacio titled "The key of Success", dated 2011, was sold for a hammer price of US$475,000 at Miami Auction Gallery in Miami, FL.

On March 10, 2016, a painting by Josignacio titled "Music is Timeless", dated 1989, was sold for a hammer price of US$3,481,205 at McCarthy-Williams Auctions in London. This painting is now the most expensive painting in the world by a living Latin artist (as well as a living Cuban artist).

On July 7, 2016, a painting by Josignacio titled "Rostro", dated 1989, was sold for a hammer price of $2,329,200 at McCarthy-Williams Auctions in London.

Year over year auction sales data for Josignacio reveals a sharply upward sales trend of artwork for the artist.

• 1988 - "Concierto Sentido" with Cuban musician José María Vitier
• 2006 - "La Pintura Cubana" by Art Work Productions, Director Roberto J. Cayuso.
• 2008 - "Josignacio: Las Formas del Color" by Art Work Productions, Director Roberto J. Cayuso.
• 2010 - "Josignacio: The Master of Colors" by Calico Productions. Director is Daniel Urdanivia.

• 

  The Three Wisest Monkeys. 1991. Private Collection, Las Vegas, NV

• Tree of Life. 2011. Public Display, Asbury Park, NJ

• 1988 - Salon de la Ciudad in Havana, Cuba.
• 1996 - Art Palm Beach, represented by Ramiro Casanas Gallery located in Palm Beach, Florida.
• 1996 - "Josignacio" at Domingo Padron Gallery in Coral Gables, Florida
• 1996 - "Josignacio" at Alfredo Martinez Gallery
• 1996 - Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, Florida Hortt 38
• 1997 - "Live Collages" at Risk Night Club organized by Ingrid Casares and Chris Paciello.
• 1997 - "The Miami Clowns" at Risk Night Club organized by Ingrid Casares and Chris Paciello.
• 1997 - "Marihuana" at Risk Night Club organized by Ingrid Casares and Chris Paciello.
• 1997 - "Hot Sex at Your own Risk" at Risk Night Club organized by Ingrid Casares and Chris Paciello.
• 1997 - "Liquid Sex" at Liquid Night Club organized by Ingrid Casares and Chris Paciello.
• 1991 to 2007 - Art Miami
• 2001 - Cuba Nostalgia Alfredo Martínez Gallery. “The cuban Vanguardia and Contemporary Art” Along with Josignacio, René Portocarrero, Amelia Peláez Carlos Enríquez Gómez, Fidelio Ponce de León, Mario Carreño Morales, José Mijares (artist) [es], Cundo Bermúdez, Rafael Soriano, Víctor Manuel García Valdéz [es] and Wifredo Lam
• 2002 - Cuba Nostalgia Alfredo Martínez Gallery. “The Contemporary” A group show with Jesse de los Rios, Clara Morera, Nelson Franco, Juan Navarrete, Marvin Chinchilla, Ulrich Gehret, Ana María Sarlat, Lia Galletti, Carlos Alfonzo, Lesver de Quiros, Arcadio Cancio, Andrés Valerio, Enrique Gay García, Héctor Molné, José María Mijares and Agustín Gainza
• 2003 - Cuba Nostalgia Alfredo Martínez Gallery. “Latin American Artists” Isidro Con Wong [es], Roberto Estupiñán, Guillermo Espinosa, Marvin Chinchilla, Rogelio Polesello, Leonel González, Fernando Carballo, Héctor Molné, Agapito Pérez, José Luis Cao, José María Mijares, Emilia Villegas, Carmen Santos and Roberto Weiss.
• 2007 - "Collages and Things" at Mario Fine Arts Gallery in Miami, Florida.
• 2007 - "Music for Pisces" at the Gallery of Regions Bank in Coral Gables, Florida.
• 2009 - "Saint Michael de Archangel" at Hialeah Park RaceTrack re-opening in Hialeah, Florida.
• 2009 - New Jersey's Art629 Gallery "Art Series’ Presents: Contemporary Cuban Artist Josignacio". A Prevention First's charitable event for the children of Asbury Park.
• 2010 - "Josignacio: The Master of Colors" exhibition previewing the artworks appearing in the documentary of the same title at the Surf Club in Surfside, Florida.
• 2015 - "Cuban Art Revolution" at Macaya Gallery, Wynwood Art District
• 2016 - "China and its Popular Culture" at the Culture Pavilion of the Expocuba which was dedicated to celebrate the 169th anniversary of the arrival of Chinese people to Cuba. Notably, this was the first exhibition of Josignacio in Cuba after working in the US for more than 26 years. The exhibition depicted the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac. Additionally, there was an interpretation of the fenghuang, a koi fish, a butterfly, and a panda bear. The opening words of the exhibition were held by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Havana, Cuba, Mr. Zhang Tuo.
• 2016 - "De Douceur Á Intense" An exhibition consisting of 21 paintings from Josignacio's "Dance Series" and they are a recreation of the most relevant classical ballets interpreted by the Cuban National Ballet, such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote (ballet) and Carmen. Carmen Suite (ballet) which is a one-act ballet created in 1967 by Cuban choreographer Alberto Alonso to music by Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin. Prima ballerina assoluta and founder of The Cuban National Ballet, Alicia Alonso, personally commissioned such exhibition. The show was held at the Gran Teatro de La Habana as part of the artistic events celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the International Ballet Festival of Havana in "La Sala Ernesto Lecuona"
• 2017 - The exhibition titled "El Renacer del Ave Fénix" (The Reborn of Phoenix) to celebrate the new Chinese year 2017 "Fire Rooster" (28 January -15 February 2018) Josignacio exhibited this cultural myth in the heart of Havana's Chinatown in Casa de las Artes y Tradiciones Chinas commissioned by its director Dr. Teresa Li. The opening words of the exhibition were held by the new Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Havana, Cuba, Mr. Chen Xi and Author and Ethnologist Dr. de:Natalia Bolívar. Also Cuban Government representatives were present at the opening.

The key artwork of the exhibition as well as the Signs Series titled "Fénix" was acquired by the Casa de las Artes y Tradiciones Chinas for display in its permanent collection.

• 2017 - The most emblematic and iconic place in Havana is La Bodeguita del Medio founded in 1942 and in its 75th Anniversary as part of the festivities of this commemorative event, was included an acquisition of Josignacio's work titled “Mojito”, a semi-figurative painting depicting this traditional and typical drink to be on its permanent display.
• 2017 – Siete Adagios para Safo y Ganimedes "Seven Adagios for Sappho and Ganymede"

Despite the controversy of the homosexuality's delicate theme in the communist's Cuba, a collection of seven nonfigurative large format guitars curated by Journalist and writer Yoel Almaguer de Armas and Lic. in Art History Diana Rosa Crespo were exhibited in the Karl Marx Theatre. In the typical Josignacio's forms and colors, they based their selection in order to match the seven colors of the rainbow; a cure was made to symbolize the colors of the flag that characterizes the world movement LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) That are precisely the colors of the actual rainbow.The Rainbow Flag, also known as the LGBT flag, is the representation of the gay and lesbian community since the late 1970s. The flag was designed by artist Gilbert Baker and popularized in 1978.These pieces are part of Josignacio's extensive series of guitars called “Rainbow Guitars” and he did this show in support of the rights of equality and acceptance of those discriminated against in his native Island and bravely led precisely by Mariela Castro Espin, the daughter of Raúl Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and the actual leader of Cuba. Mariela currently heads the Cuban National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) proof that its government is showing their intentions in opening the human rights issues.The reason for the title "Seven Adagios for Sappho and Ganymede": Josignacio uses the musical term adagio because it is a musical piece whose tempo is slower, as well as slow has been the process of acceptance of LGBT movement and two characters, the real Sappho of Mytilene, also known as Sappho of Lesbos, a Greek poet who has historically been identified by many as the symbol of female homosexuality and the mythological Ganymede who became the lover of the God Zeus.

• 2017 - “China Pure Colors” China a Puro Color, at Expo Cuba (arts pavilion) Eight big format abstract paintings depicting the typical colors of China's culture and folklore to celebrate the 170th anniversary of the presence of the Chinese in Cuba. Organized by Ministerio de Cultura de la República de Cuba, Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China, Oficina del Historiador de la Habana and Instituto Cubano de Amistad con los Pueblos (ICAP)
• 2017 - “Punto y Línea sobre el plano” a group art exhibition in Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) including Antoine Mena, Donis Llago, Gabriel Sanches Toledo, Jorge Gody, Josignacio, Nelson Villalobo Ferrer, Onay Rosquet, Osy Milián, Víctor M. Gómez and curated by FAC head's curator Rosemary Rodríguez.
• 2017- "Fuente del Otro" Exhibition at Galería René Portocarrero National Theatre of Cuba, 29 contemporary artists among them: Pedro de Oraa, Carlos Trillo Name, Ruben Rodriguez, Dionisio Abad Jarrosay Ruiz, Jose Fowler, Rogelio Rodriguez Cobas, Angel Rivero Sierra, Wilay Méndez Páez, Ramón Víctor Casas Viera and Santiago Luis Ferrer – Kender as a homage to Cuban master René Portocarrero.
• 2017- "National Encounter of Abstract Art" at "René Portocarrero" Gallery of the National Theater of Cuba/Encuentro Nacional de Arte Abstracto. Galería “René Portocarrero” del Teatro Nacional de Cuba from October 8 to November 8, show curated by Author Lic. Luis García Peraza and catalogue's words made by renowned Cuban abstract painter Pedro de Oraá, the show included twenty-nine abstract artists.
• 2017- “Martí visto por Josignacio” “Martí seen by Josignacio” A selection of twenty eight artworks in a Solo show (art exhibition) made by the artist inspired by the life, figure and writing works such as Simple Verses, of Cuban's National Hero, poet José Martí, through more than thirty year's career in the Biblioteca Nacional de Cuba José Martí gallery El Reino de Este Mundo in collaboration with Consejo Nacional de Artes Plasticas. The opening date for this show was chosen October 18 to celebrate 116 anniversary of the library's, which was established on October 18, 1901.

The National Library of Cuba José Martí, for its permanent collection acquired the exhibited diptych “Mi verso es de un verde claro y de un carmín encendido” / “My verse is light green and a carmine in fire” depicting a portraits of Martí. The artwork will be on permanent display at the public gallery.

From 1987 to 1989 Josignacio had his artwork displayed in Havana at the following Galleries for exhibition:

• Galeria del Liceo Artistico y Literario de Regla
• Galeria San Miguel del Padron
• Galeria de la Casa del Joven Creador
• Galeria del Palacio del Segundo Cabo
• Galeria del Karl Marx
• Galeria del teatro Mella
• Centro de Exposiciones Pabellon Cuba
• Galeria de la Casa de la Cultura de Plaza
• Galeria del Comité Estatal de Finanzas
• "Moda en rojos" La Maison Fashion house
• La Casona, Sede del Ballet Nacional de Cuba (Cuban National Ballet)
• Galeria del Fondo Cubano de Vienes Culturales
• Galeria del Café Teatro Brecht
• 1989 "Comparzas y Carnavales" La Maison
• Exhibición en el lobby del Hotel Habana Riviera "Mariposas"
• Exhibición en el lobby del Hotel Habana Libre "Abstracts"
• Exhibición en el lobby del Hotel Internacional de Varadero

Since 1989 upon his arrival to Miami art scene, art historian and former Miami Herald art critic Helen Kohen wrote about Josignacio's dedication to help raise money for AIDS patients of Genesis Project through art auctions held at InterContinental Hotel Miami, presided by Julio Hernandez Rojo and Dolores C. Smithies. Numerous group exhibitions happened thereafter. From 1990 in the Museum of Cuban Art to several Miami's art galleries.

• 1990 International Art Collection
• 1990 Domingo Padrón Art Gallery “Josignacio’s Butterflies”
• 1990 Cuban Museum of Arts and Culture. Group Show
• 1991 Domingo Padrón Art Gallery. Group Show
• 1991 MarPad Art Gallery
• 1992 500 aniversario del descubrimientode América. Marpad Art Gallery
• 1993 Alfredo Martínez Gallery
• 1993 MarPad Art Gallery
• 1994 Noche Cubana. Cuban Art. Marpad Art Gallery
• 1995 Alfredo Martínez Gallery
• 1995 MarPad Art Gallery
• 1996 Diana Traficante Gallery
• 1997 Alfredo Martínez Gallery. Works by Cuban Artists
• 1998 “One Man Show, Josignacio” Alfredo Martínez Gallery
• 1999 “Fiesta Cubana” Alfredo Martínez Gallery. Curated by Armando Álvarez Bravo
• 1999 Pintores Contemporáneos.Alfredo Martínez Gallery. Jesse de los Rios, Clara Morera, Nelson Franco, Juan Navarrete, Marvin Chinchilla, Ulrich Gehret, Ana María Sarlat, Lia Galetti, Carlos Alfonzo and Lesver de Quirós

• 1987 - "Josignacio" by Jose Antonio Portoundo [es] renowned Cuban Intellectual, Havana, Cuba
• 1988 - "Josignacio y sus juegos de resinas" (Josignacio and his Resin Games) by Antonio Núñez Jiménez (Cuban academic), Havana, Cuba
• 1988 - "El Torbellino Cromatico en la Obra de Josignacio" (Tornados Chromatic in Josignacio's Artworks) by Lisandro Otero (Cuban novelist), Havana, Cuba
• 1988 - "La Magia de Josignacio" (Josignacio's Magic) by Miguel Cabrera, Historian of Cuban National Ballet, Havana, Cuba
• 1989 - "Josignacio es una revolucion dentro de la revolucion" (Josignacio is a Revolution Inside the Revolution) by Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez Havana, Cuba
• 1989 - "Los Martí de Josignacio" "The Josignacio's Martí" by Cuban Teacher and José Martí specialist Ms. Esther Montes de Oca
• 1989 - "El dibujo por el Color" by illustrator José Luis Posada Medio "El Gallego Posada"
• 1991 - "Josignacio's Newism" by art consultant and critic Roberto J Cayuso, Miami
• 1995 - "The Flag" by Jorge Valls, Miami, Florida
• 2008 - "Josignacio: Un Pintor Abstracto en Miami" (An Abstract Painter in Miami) by Dr. Emilio Ichikawa, a renowned Cuban intellectual, Miami, Florida
• 2016 - "Delirium" by Lic. in Art History and Journalist Eliset García Deulofeu
• 2016 - "Plastic Paint Medium: una revolución tecno-pictórica creada en Cuba" by Lic. in Art History, Journalist and writer Yoel Almaguer de Armas
• 2017 - "Josignacio y la boca abierta"
• 2017 - "Siete guitarras contra la homofobia y la transfobia" by Lic. in Art History, Journalist and writer Yoel Almaguer de Armas and Lic. in Art History Diana Rosa Crespo
• 2017 - "A propósito del Martí de Josignacio" by Lic. in Art History and Journalist Eliset García Deulofeu
• 2017 - "El arte plástico de Josignacio: Las formas por el color" by Roberto J. Cayuso, author and art specialist.
• 2017 - "Martí visto por Josignacio: lirismo y majestuosidad en el lugar ideal" by MSc. Nora Rodríguez Calzadilla.
• 2017 - "El Martí de Josignacio" by José Angel Téllez Villalón He works in Cubarte as editor and press editor. He also collaborate with the Artecubano newsletter.
• 2017 - An extraordinary artistic product "Un extraordinario producto artístico" by Nathalie Sánchez. Published November 6, 2017 Tribuna de La Habana
• 2017 - "Martí visto por Josignacio" by José Angel Téllez Villalón. This is the title of the exhibition that occupies these days the gallery The Kingdom of this World of the National Library of Cuba José Martí. Inaugurated on the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of this important institution and within the framework of the National Culture Day
• 2017 - "Visiones de Martí" by Toni Piñera, Granma (newspaper) "Each generation has left, in the Martian images, their own mythologies, showing us, at the same time, the historical significance at that time assigned to the national heroes"
• 2017 - "Martí visto por Josignacio en el alma del arte que acrisola y enaltece" by MSc. Nora Rodríguez Calzadilla
• 2018 - "La identidad de un creador" by Nathalie Mesa
• 2018 - “El Martiano Josignacio”
• 2018 - "Martí vs Dos Ríos" Painting of Josignacio selected to illustrate the cover an back cover of the Volume 1 (2018) of the National Library of Cuba's magazine