Vegarte in the Creative World of Artist Pedro Vega Mendoza

In a dialogue of feelings and emotions—both expansive and deeply personal—the work of young Pedro Vega Mendoza defies simple definition. Displayed at the Vegarte Gallery—a name that cleverly intertwines his surname with art and nods to the tobacco fields of Pinar del Río, Cuba’s westernmost province famed for its ideal growing lands—his creations evoke the essence of Cuban culture.

Captivated by the mystique of Cuban cigars, Pedro Vega Mendoza has merged his artistic talent with a passion for the world’s finest tobacco. On the ground floor of Havana’s Partagás Factory, a dedicated space for the visual arts stands as a parallel to that exclusive product, which has long symbolized culture, identity, and tradition. Both the art and the cigar demand skill, dedication, inspiration, and creativity—qualities that are indispensable whether one is painting, photographing, or crafting a majestic habano.

A graduate of the Oswaldo Guayasamín Professional Academy of Plastic Arts in Bayamo, Granma, with over 14 years of experience and extensive experimentation with tobacco leaves to enhance their durability, Vega Mendoza now unveils a series of works. His portfolio ranges from portraits and female nudes to still lifes, vintage automobiles, and images of the Cuban flag. His diverse approach shows that tobacco can be appreciated not only for its aroma and flavor but also as a source of artistic inspiration, a vision vividly realized in his gallery. Currently, his works are exhibited permanently in the United States, Italy, and China.

For this meticulous process, he counts on a highly professional team—comprising his wife, brother, and father—who carefully prepare the tobacco so it reaches the canvas perfectly primed for creation. After a rigorous chemical process to ensure its longevity, the leaves are integrated into the canvas, resulting in art that can be easily dismantled and transported. “They are guaranteed to withstand the test of time, provided they are handled with the same care as any unique and extraordinary piece,” Pedro Vega explained to Radio Enciclopedia.

He also highlighted that Vegarte’s slogan, “Unique Art in Cuba” (AUC), accompanies an ambitious project to demonstrate to the world that “Tobacco is more than smoking—it is living art.”

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez