TOMÁS OLIVA was born in Havana, Cuba. Some of his monumental sculptures are displayed in public places around the world (Downtown Nashua, Brookline, Sumner, Kirkland, Lummi Island and Miami in the United States; he also, has large works installed in Chile, South India, Cuba, Russia, Cyprus, and in Ukraine.)
Oliva's themes are inspired by the extreme distress generated by society upon the vast majority of individuals. To – To series, are inspired in the aboriginal Taino Cemi image.
His influences also include artists Ernst Barlach, Francisco Goya, Edvard Munch, and Kate Kollwitz.
He has been a Visual Art professor for 22 years. Oliva has been a member of UNEAC (National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba) since 1987 and a member of AIESM (International Association for Monumental Sculpture Events) since 2008.
In 2006, Oliva was awarded an Honors For Excellence, Contribution And Achievements In The Advancements Of Fine Arts And Education by The Centro Cultural Hispano Americano And The Spanish &Portuguese Studies of The University of Washington, Seattle, WA, October 28, 2006.