Wilfredo Lam

Wilfredo Lam (1902-1982) was a Cuban painter and printmaker of African and Chinese descent. He spent about 14 years in Spain starting in 1923 to 1938. He then moved to Paris before settling in New York. His art drew from personal experience during thee Spanish Civil War, both as a soldier and observer, and grief in his personal life. Lam was engaged in Modern movements such as Cubism and Surrealism. His work draws heavily from his experiences in Cuba with special attention to Afro-Caribbean religions such as Santería. He synthesized these two world views resulting in a visual language rich with thin figures, distinct, vertical linework, and a vibrant palette.