Alexis Leiva Machado (Kcho) (b. in Cuba, 1970). At the age of sixteen, he marks the start of his career with the personal exhibition: Kcho expone favelas, at the Centre of Plastic Arts in Nueva Gerona in the year 1986. From 1990 on, already as a professional, he begins to display his works in personal and collective exhibitions both nationally and internationally. From them all, it is indispensable to mention his graduation thesis, Paisaje popular cubano, 1990 (Cuban Popular Landscape), since one of the works that titled the exhibition allowed him to be part of the permanent collection displayed at the Fine Arts Museum of Cuba (MNBA). His short career - until 2011 - more than 90 solo exhibitions and 200 group exhibitions in 35 countries. His work has been exhibited in major museums and galleries around the world, and have hosted major biennial work. Kcho has also been honored for his work as a social being, as a Cuban who loves his country. Among the most significant awards include: the distinction “National Culture” in 1998, awarded by the Ministry of Culture and in 2003 received the Medal “Abel Santamaria” award by the State Council on the proposal of the Young Communists (UJC) and the Replica of the Machete of Maximo Gomez, who delivers the minister of the FAR. He was elected deputy of the Popular Power National Assembly in July 2003 to represent the people of the Isla de la Juventud and reelected in January 2008.
