1912, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba / 2008, Havana, Cuba.

Naif painter. One of the most important representatives of Cuban popular art.

His artistic career began in 1938 with the first exhibition of the Estudio Libre de Pintura y Escultura. There he acquired some academic notions, but the great masters of Cuban art noticed in him his vocation and height, in addition to encouraging his intuitive talent.

As of 59 his work gains a deserved recognition both in national exhibitions and abroad. Jay Matamoros became an emblematic figure of Cuban popular painting (naive painting) with an undeniable international projection.

The fundamental theme of his works is the landscape, where he shows his roots in the Cuban countryside, however, he has worked on other subjects such as the urban and coastal landscape, historical subjects and portraits.

In 2000, he was awarded the National Prize for Plastic Arts in Havana, Cuba.

Treasures his work, the National Museum of Fine Arts in Havana, Cuba; among other prestigious collections in the world.