On April 26, 1938, José D'Lázaro Bencomo was born in San Antonio de los Baños, known by José Delarra, one of the most renowned artists of the Ariguanabense people. In 1949, Delarra began his studies in the world of creation. First in Villate, then in San Alejandro and later in the School of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy. Later, he continued his studies in Madrid and Paris. His art visited more than 20 countries where he left his mark on sculptures, paintings, monuments, murals and easel painting.
He was professor and director of the Academy of San Alejandro and founder of the Vocational School of Plastic Arts in San Antonio de los Baños, together with Rubén Suárez Quidiello in 1969. He presented 274 personal and collective exhibitions in Cuba and abroad.
In San Antonio he presented 4 exhibitions, the last one being precisely the last one of his prolific life, inaugurated on July 24, 2003 in the Municipal Museum with the presence of his relatives, as well as personalities of the territory. It paid homage to the National Hero on the 150th anniversary of his birth. Exactly one month and two days later, on August 26, Delarra died at 65 years of age.
In his career he left 125 monumental works in Cuba, Mexico, Spain, Japan, Angola, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic. During 54 years of continuous work, he received more than a hundred awards and distinctions, among them stand out the Distinction for the National Culture, the Alejo Carpentier Medal, the Machete of the FAR, the Hacha de Holguín, the Keys of the cities of Cancun , Mexico and Santa Clara, Cuba; Illustrious Son of Havana and San Antonio de los Baños, Abril Prize and Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba.
Delarra was founder of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba UNEAC and Member of the International Association of Plastic Artists and deputy to the National Assembly of People's Power. His works are exhibited in various museums and private collections.
