The esteemed Cuban visual artist, Omar Kessel Nicolás, has passed away at the age of 71 in Spain. Born in Havana in 1953, Kessel pursued his education at the Provincial School of Plastic Arts "San Alejandro" and later at the Higher Institute of Arts (ISA), where he specialized in engraving and painting.
Kessel was a versatile artist who mastered a wide array of techniques, including painting, drawing, lithography, wood engraving, wood carving, ceramics, and decoration. He also played a significant role as an educator in Cuba during the 1970s and 1980s. Later, he continued his teaching career in Galicia, Spain, where he resided for over three decades, as well as in other regions of Spain.
Throughout his prolific career, Kessel showcased his work not only in his homeland and Spain but also in countries such as Mexico, the United States, Peru, Brazil, and Nicaragua. The news of his death has prompted an outpouring of grief on social media, though the specific cause of his passing has not been disclosed.