The exhibition “Elliot & Erick Jiménez: El Monte” will open on August 28, 2025, at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). It will be on view through March 22, 2026. The opening will begin with a meet and greet with the Cuban American artists— August 28, 7:00 to 8:00pm—followed by entertainment and refreshments until 11:00pm (see below); please RSVP.
[On a personal note, I am wondering when/where/whether there will be a conversation on the work of the late Cuban artist Belkis Ayón as a point of reference, intertextuality, or inspiration.]
The PAMM team explains: “Join twin artists Elliot & Erick Jiménez and exhibition curator Maritza Lacayo for an evening of conversation, connection, and insight into the rich symbolism and storytelling behind their latest work. Explore the world of El Monte as the artists share their inspirations and answer your questions about the exhibition. After the meet and greet, enjoy music, dominoes, and drinks on PAMM’s waterfront terrace with Capicu! NYC, featuring DJ Lluvia, FKi 1st and special surprise guests from 8-11pm.”
Exhibition Description: Elliot & Erick Jiménez: El Monte is the first solo museum exhibition of the artist duo Elliot & Erick Jiménez. The photographers, identical twin brothers, present an entirely new body of work inspired by the spiritual tradition of Lucumí—a syncretic Afro-Caribbean religion that emerged in late nineteenth-century Cuba bringing together elements of Yoruba, Catholicism, and Spiritism—and by Lydia Cabrera’s seminal text El Monte. First published in Cuba in 1954, El Monte is a foundational study of Afro-Cuban religions that was translated into English for the first time in 2023, significantly broadening access to its insights on Caribbean spiritual practices. This exhibition highlights the Jiménez twins’ bicultural upbringing as Cuban Americans raised in the Lucumí tradition.
At the center of the exhibition is a large structure that dominates the gallery space, its interior evoking both a chapel and a forest. The installation references syncretic Caribbean religions, their Catholic counterparts, and the Cuban monte (forest or wilderness)—a site associated with mystery, transformations, and spiritual encounters. Various works explore the artists’ relationship as identical twins, the structure itself symbolizing the shared space of the womb. Other works reimagine well-known art historical compositions through the lens of Lucumí, examining its intersections with colonialism and the Western art historical canon.
While the exhibition primarily features photographs, it also includes sculptural elements interspersed throughout the gallery. Together, these works invite visitors to engage with themes of wonder, mystery, self-reflection, and discovery.
For more information, see https://www.pamm.org/en/exhibition/elliot-and-erick-jimenez-el-monte/
See more on the artists at https://www.elliotanderick.com/ and https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/south-arts/artist/elliot-and-erick-jimenez
The exhibition “Elliot & Erick Jiménez: El Monte” will open on August 28, 2025, at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). It will be on view through March 22, 2026. The opening will begin with a meet and greet with the Cuban American artists— August 28, 7:00 to 8:00pm—followed by entertainment and refreshments until 11:00pm