March2017-Flipbook

There is a Cuban entity that is an importer
[of these materials] and can do it, but
imagine, they are materials brought from
China, and from other places, not with
efficiency or the proper quality. Lack of
materials is a problem, really.
CT: What do you think the future is for
artists here in Cuba?
AL: I believe that the artist, wherever he
is, has to do his work. What is needed here
are the materials. From the point of view
of the conditions, of the environment, of
the spiritual environment—which is the
motivation and fundamental thing one
must have as an artist—here [in Cuba]
is the best place to be. Though there are
sometimes hardships, I have never accepted
the idea of not working one day because
I do not have the right color of paint, or
because I do not have a specific material.
I have always said to my son “never
justify the idea of ​not working for lack of
material,” because we are surrounded by
materials. I think, in sum, that it has been
more positive than negative. Because the
creativity one sees in Cuban art is rare. It
has been very varied and very inventive,
producing many different results. H
Cuban independence hero Antonio Maceo Grajales
(the so-called ‘Bronze Titan’)
MARCH 2017
CUBATRADE
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