Contemporary Art from Cuba

Artists in the Exhibition
Exhibition Specs

Contemporary Art from Cuba presents the work of sixteen artists of the 1990s who explore irony as a strategy for psychological survival and oblique commentary. Embedded in their art is the notion that when political and personal problems are inescapable, humor may be one of the few outlets for frustration and anger, and it can help maintain sanity within a context that often seems to be ruled by irrationality. The exhibition includes work that reflects varied views of the Revolution and the realities of life in Cuba under the United States embargo.

These sixteen artists speculate on Cuba's complex past, its love/hate relationship with the United States, and its cultural uniqueness as a nexus of African, European, and Asian cultural presence. Their work exemplifies the concept of inventando-the improvisation and creative resourcefulness required for everyday survival-in a variety of mediums, including traditional paintings, collages, and drawings as well as installations using a range of different materials including aquariums, coins, porcelain, wood, and paper bags.

The 182-page illustrated bilingual catalogue features essays by Gerardo Mosquera, Tonel (Antonio Eligio Fernández), and curator Marilyn A. Zeitlin. The book documents art in Cuba at a time of two historic benchmarks: the fortieth anniversary of the Cuban Revolution and the centenary of Cuba's independence from Spain. The exhibition is complemented by a 58-minute video documentary featuring artist interviews and scenes from contemporary Cuba related to their work. A 22-page black-and-white educational brochure outlining Cuba's cultural and political development over the 20th century, with maps and photographs, is also available.

The exhibition is organized by Arizona State University (ASU) Art Museum, Tempe, and circulated by ICI. Curator Marilyn Zeitlin is the director of the ASU Art Museum.