Collection: Wifredo Lam
(1902-1982) Cuban
Born and raised in Sagua La Grande, a village in a sugar farming province of Cuba, Lam was of mixed discent; his father a Chinese immigrant and his mother the daughter of a Congolese and Cuban father. As such he was surrounded by many African traditions, including celebrations and spiritual practices, which proved to be his largest artistic influence. During the 1930’s, Lam was exposed to a myriad of influences while in Europe most notably the Surrealist movement as well as the work of Henri Matisse. Throughout his work, Lam sought to portray and revive the enduring Afro-Cuban spirit and culture, melding his influenced to create a unique style ultimately characterized by the prominence of hybrid figures.
