As the first American born into his Cuban refugee family, Montes grew up with the heritage, traditions and old-time values of the Cuban countryside while living between the skyscrapers and sidewalks of New York City. A little bit of Camaguey in the streets of the city. His work and life reflect this environment and these influences. He currently resides in upstate in Saratoga County, New York. Music plays a central role in his work. Themes range from swaying palms to city sewers and from the everyday to the otherworldly.
Montes has exhibited at:
- 1982 The Bacardi Gallery, Miami, FL
- 1983 Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Miami, FL
- 1985 Chase Manhattan Bank, Panama City, Panama
- 1992 School of Visual Arts, New York City, NY
- 1997 Museo Historico Cubano, Miami, FL
- 2001 Latin American Art Museum, Miami, FL
- 2001 Art in Public Places, Saratoga Springs Library, NY
- 2001 Cuba Nostalgia, Coconut Grove, FL
- 2001 Mi Casa Studio, Miami, FL
- 2001 Little Havana To Go, Miami, FL
- 2001-02 Martinez Gallery, Troy, NY
- 2001 CommerceBank, Coral Gables, FL
- 2001 Casa Panza, Miami, Fl
- 2001 Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY
- 2001 Havana Miami, Miami, FL
- 2002 La Vinoteca, Coral Gables, FL
- 2002 Bodegon Cubano, Miami, FL
- 2002 New York State Museum, Albany, NY
- 2003 Hemisphere Bay Side, Hallandale, NY
- 2003 R.P.I. Cultural Center, Troy, NY
- 2003 Big Five Club, Miami, FL
- 2003 Don Parrilla, Miami, FL
- 2003 Renaissance Ball Room, Miami, FL
- 2004 Coral Way Art Festival, Miami, FL
- 2005 Vizcaya Museum , Coconut Grove, FL
- 2005 Martinez, Gallery, Troy, NY
- 2005 David's Café, Miami Beach, FL
- 2006 Big Five Club, Miami, FL
- 2006-08 Avenue A, Albany, NY
- 2006-09 Sister Cities,Tower Theater, Miami, FL
- 2006-09 Great Florida Bank, Miami Beach, FL
- 2007 Office of the State Comptroller Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Albany, NY
- 2007-10 Little Havana To Go, Miami, FL
- 2008-09 I Love Calle Ocho, Miami, FL
- 2010 Martinez, Gallery, Troy, NY
- 2010-11 Izzi Cubi-Thai, Miami Beach, FL
- 2011-12 Office of the State Comptroller Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Albany, NY
- 2012 Alliance International, Miami, FL
- 2012 Albany Latin Fest Gala, New York State Museum, Albany NY
- 2012 University at Albany, Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Albany, NY
His Work has Appeared in several publications, including:
Books: Creative Visualization, Comix Compendum
Magazines: Miami Exclusive, Latino New York, Art? Alternatives, Skin Art
Newspapers: Diario Las Americas, Miami, FL, Times Union, Albany, NY, The Saratogian, Saratoga Springs, NY Registro, Troy, NY, Legislative Gazette, Albany, NY