LuisAbreu

During our forth trip to Cuba on an art expedition, we suddenly felt like we were in the middle of a Batman episode. Something extraordinary happened "BANG, POW, SNAP". I am sure we saw captions coming out of the ice-cream parlor! We were walking the streets of old Havana when suddenly from the corner of my eye there was a collection on a wall which could have been an exhibit from any of New York's finest exhibit spaces. They were most weirdly alluring, with astounding bravura and flourish. It took days to locate the artist's address and a 30 mile taxi ride. But, when we arrived we knew we had unmasked great talent. His name is Luis Abreu. He is, from this professional perspective, one of the most talented young artists in Cuba today.

Abreu's talent was so prodigal that the state enabled him to receive a Master's in Fine Art from the most prestigious academy in Cuba the revered San Alejandro Academy in Havana specializing in painting and subliminal techniques. San Alejandro is an incubator for Cuba's most famous artists, like Tomas Sanchez and Wifredo Lam. He has had numerous one man shows including the 1997 Havana Biennial and is a member of the Asociacion Hermanos Saiz and ACEA Asociacion Catalana de Entidades Artisticas.

His art is so fascinating due to its enormous range, diversity and sophistication. Some works are exquisitely esoteric while others have a naïve feel. All of it is fresh and most arresting. He is working within dynamic social forces and this is dramatically evident. They capture infinitesimally thin slices of life exquisitely, and rather modestly. Overall the works are personal history paintings and all exhibit life affirming theatricality.

With 500 years of cultural tradition, an excellent educational system, and 40 years of living an extremely arduous day to day existence, Cuban art is as complex as it is inspirational. Nance Frank, Director emphasized, "They have something to paint about!" she further noted that, "Cuban art is a tapestry of beauty and danger which combine to form dynamic forces that produce art resplendent and dreadful all in one." Specifically Abreu's work and Cuban art displays life-affirming; theatricality, mysticism, and sensuality.

After decades of near anonymity, contemporary Cuban artists are asserting their presence -- and winning acclaim like the coveted "Miro" in Spain. Likewise, important auction houses like Sotheby's are offering and receiving Picasso's contemporary, Cuban artist Wifredo Lam for over $1.2million. Museums and galleries in Paris, New York and Tokyo are also showing interest at an all-time high, contemporary Cuban art is finally being given its due and younger artists are coming to the forefront. Like Cuba's own popular music; salsa, mambo, cha, cha, cha etc., Cuban art is receiving serious attention.

Abreu's work forms a magnificent spiritual tour de force for the twenty-first century