Humberto Castro was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1957. He attended the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes de San Alejandro and the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) in Havana. His work mixes figures with lyrical and conceptual elements resulting in a new art form known as Neo-figuration. Thematically, it deals with the social and psychological challenges of humankind and incorporates historical and social-cultural myths. His artistic production can be divided into three distinctive periods. The first one corresponds to the work produced in Havana, Cuba; the second one includes paintings and drawings made while living in Paris, France; and the third and most recent one features the work produced after moving to the United States. Each period features different series which incorporate specific themes using different symbols and materials. He is a skillful multimedia artist who works on painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, installations, photography, and video art. He also delved into performance as a vehicle for social criticism as a young artist while living in Cuba.

Castro belongs to the widely recognized “Generation of the 80s,” a group that generated significant changes in the island’s cultural and visual arts scene. In 1983 he was one of the founders of Hexagon Group, an artistic collaboration that created installations and promoted the public’s participation. Between 1980 and 1984, he produced an extensive body of prints using, among others, the intaglio technique. He also designed sets for theater and film. In 1989 he emigrated to France, where he became active in the Parisian intellectual scene. He participated in numerous individual and group exhibitions, as well as conferences across Europe. In 1999 he moved to the United States.

Since the beginning of his career, he has received numerous awards. His works belong to prestigious museums and private collections. He has been an influential figure among his colleagues and younger generations. He currently lives and works in Miami, Florida.