Elliot & Erick Jiménez: El Monte at the Pérez Art Museum Miami marks the debut solo museum show for the identical twin photographer duo Elliot and Erick Jiménez. The brothers, who are identical twins, unveil a completely fresh series of works drawing inspiration from the Lucumí spiritual tradition — a blended Afro-Caribbean faith that developed in Cuba during the late 1800s, merging Yoruba beliefs, Catholicism, and Spiritism — with the influential book El Monte by Lydia Cabrera. Originally released in Cuba in 1954, El Monte stands as a cornerstone exploration of Afro-Cuban religions and spiritual customs. Its first-ever English translation appeared in 2023, greatly expanding its reach and introducing its profound knowledge of Caribbean sacred practices to wider audiences.

The exhibition emphasizes the artists’ own dual cultural background as first-generation Cuban Americans who grew up immersed in the Lucumí tradition. Dominating the gallery is a striking large-scale installation that resembles both a sacred chapel and a dense forest interior. This piece draws connections to syncretic Caribbean faiths, their Catholic parallels, and the symbolic Cuban monte (wilderness or forest)—a powerful place linked to enigma, metamorphosis, and profound spiritual experiences.

Several pieces delve into the unique bond between the twin artists, with the central structure itself representing the intimate, shared environment of the womb. Additional works reinterpret iconic compositions from art history, viewed through the perspective of Lucumí, while probing its complex ties to colonialism and the dominant Western artistic tradition.

Although photography forms the heart of the show, sculptural components are thoughtfully placed across the space. Collectively, these creations encourage viewers to immerse themselves in ideas of awe, enigma, introspection, and personal revelation.

Elliot & Erick Jiménez: El Monte / Pérez Art Museum Miami. Miami (USA), November 28, 2025.