Kcho

KCHO (sometimes spelled '''"K'cho"), born Alexis Leiva Machado''' on the Isle of Pines (1970), is a contemporary Cuban artist. He first attracted international attention by winning the grand prize at South Korea's Gwangju Biennale in 1995.

==Biography== ===Early years=== Alexis Leiva Machado (Kcho) was born in Nueva Gerona, Isla de la Juventud, on February 12, 1970. Son of Ignacio de Loyola Leiva Abreu, a carpenter and telecommunication technician, and Martina Primitiva Machado Cuní, better known as Martha Camacho, a famous artist, he grew up alongside four other sisters. He attended Josué País primary school, Manuel Alcolea primary school, and subsequently, Elementary Art School Leonardo Liberta in Isla de la Juventud. In 1986, he enrolled in the National School of Plastic Arts (ENA) in Havana and graduated in 1990, specializing in painting and sculpture.