CUBA: MEET THE ARTISTS

Just imagine yourself visiting the artists in their own studio and sharing with them in their living room as you discover that their home has become a museum of contemporary art, known as “Espacio 106”. In the Bordón family home, you will find paintings, installations, sculptures, and artistic photographs. You will meet the artists and discover new art trends, as they recommend the best places you must include when you book an art tour in Havana—an experience like no other!

During the “meet the artists” experience, visitors, as special guests, also learn about new community projects and places where art lovers can acquire art pieces for all budgets. What an adventure! Autographs, recommendations … you’ll design the perfect Havana art tour.

You may wonder why this family is considered one of the icons of contemporary art in Cuba. Well, I’ll tell you. Some of them educate artists at the most prestigious higher education art school in Cuba, San Alejandro Fine Art School.

The Father: Edel Bordón. As a member of the National League of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), the artist’s work has been displayed in over twenty individual exhibitions in various countries including Cuba, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, The Bahamas, USA, and Switzerland.

The Mother: Yamilé Pardo. Skilled in both painting and sculpture, Pardo is currently the director of the Department of Sculpture at San Alejandro School of Art. As an artist, she explores nature, form, material and the original function of objects found in the most unimaginable places. Many of her pieces and installations focus on the role women in Cuba play in the domestic sphere.

The Son: Pablo Bordón, Professor of Photography at the Highest Institute of Arts known as ISA. Prof. Pablo Bordón’s work focuses on photography, painting, and new media. His work explores the ever-deflected concept of “intimacy” by way of redefining photographs. Pablo uses oil paints to recreate classic images of famous photographs that are considered part of history.

The Daughter: Lucia Bordón, specializes in art history. She’s the piece of the puzzle that provides visitors with a fresh approach to art then and art today. While visiting the Bordón’s studio workshop, the youngest of the family allows visitors to travel back in time and return with a greater appreciation of today’s art trends.

In The Bahamas, the Bordón family has collaborated with Antonius Roberts, John Cox, and others. University of The Bahamas has also welcomed Edel Bordón and Yamilé Pardo as professors who have shared their techniques with up-and-coming artists.

I asked Professor Pardo where are some of the places she would suggest to art lovers who want to learn about real Cuban art.

She responded, “We all know that we can visit museums, galleries and artists’ studios, but the real visual arts can be found at events such as the Havana Biennial, the Visual Arts Study Centre, and at artists’ personal spaces like this one.”

Read the next issue of Up and Away and you will see a list of places where you can MEET MORE ARTISTS. I will give you details, the address and names of Famous Cuban Artists Personal Studios. Are you in? UA