Leandro Soto was born in Cuba, obtaining a B.A. in Painting and Engraving, and a M.A. in Scenic Arts (Scenography and Costume Design). Soto has been consistently involved in the art world for the past 41 years, participating in numerous Group Exhibitions and Solo Shows in museums, art galleries, and alternative art spaces in various countries: Spain, Argentina, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Colombia, Venezuela, Germany, Peru, Japan, Barbados, Panama, Jamaica, Italy, Cuba, India, and the United States. Soto is one of the leading figures of the famous “Volumen Uno”, a renowned art movement of the 1980’s that changed the course of Cuban Art in the XX Century. He is credited with being the first Performance and Installation artist in the island as well as the first artist of his generation to have worked with the Afro Cuban heritage.  

Ethnographic Aesthetics has played an important role in shaping Leandro Soto’s career. He is counted amongst those contemporary artists that use ethnography as a significant element in their art practice. His work requires travelling, fieldwork collaboration and community engagement. His areas of expressions include Painting, Installation, Performance Arts, Scenography, Costume Design, Films, and new hybrid art forms.