Raúl Corrales Fornos

By LatAm ARTE

Raúl Corrales Fornos (1925-2006) was a Cuban photographer born in Ciego de Ávila and later based in Havana. He came from humble origins and did various jobs when young before becoming involved with photography. Over the years he became known for his documentary work, capturing peasants, workers, and everyday life in Cuba, often in remote areas. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, he worked as an official photographer for the new government and spent decades preserving and organizing its photographic legacy. His images combine political and social witness with artistry and human dignity. He saw beyond headlines to visualize stories of struggle, community, hope, and identity. Corrales held personal exhibitions and his work was shown in collective shows both inside Cuba and internationally. He was a founding member of the Photography Section of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC). He received major awards in Cuba including the National Prize of Visual Arts and other recognitions for his dedication to visual chronicling of Cuban history. He left a legacy not only in the photographs themselves but also in how he trained others, archived the collective memory, and bridged art with social consciousness. Even after his death, Corrales is remembered as one of Cuba’s great photographers, his images part of major collections and institutions.