Colours of Cuba

About

This November, the London art world has the rare opportunity to see an exhibition by one of Cuba's most renowned artists- Jose Fuster. The show at La Galleria on Pall Mall, which runs from 10th to 21st November 2008, will display a range of the remarkable paintings and ceramics that have led American critics to call Fuster ‘The Picasso of the Caribbean.' Fuster's paintings have a joyously naà ¯ve, primitive style that reflect the landscape and daily life of his native country. Symbols from Caribbean religions with African roots rub shoulders with depictions of family outings by donkey. Café groups jostle with images from the Cuban mountains. No wonder that this life-affirming artist has pieces in collections across Europe, the States and Latin America. He was born in 1946 and took his first steps to becoming an artist in 1961, when he started teaching literacy and then art. In 1966 he commenced the work as a ceramicist, later broadening out into paint. One of his most remarkable creations is architectural. Fuster has turned over 60 buildings in the neighbourhood of Jaimanitas where he lives into gloriously Gaudi-esque marvels bedecked with colourful, fantastical, ceramic features. He funds this by the sale of his pictures. This exhibition is organised by Soy Cuba, Contemporary Cuban Art. The Colours of Cuba, Art and Ceramics of Jose Fuster runs 10 - 21 November 2008