Arts and Literature of Cuba

included Mario Carreño, Loló Soldevilla (1901–1971), Sandú Darié (1908–1991), and Luis Martínez Pedro (1910–1989/90). Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship came to an end on January 1, 1959, with the success of the revolution headed by Fidel Castro. Within a few years of Castro’s ascent to power, Cuban abstract art had faded from the scene. Revolutionary Art In many ways, Castro would prove just as repressive as Batista had been. But, while he made clear that no art that was “against the Revolution” would be tolerated, Castro didn’t express strong opinions about modern painting or sculpture. In fact, his revolutionary government lacked a clearly defined cul- tural agenda in its first couple years. That situation began changing in 1961, however. UNEAC, the writers and artists union, was established. Its members were pressured to actively support Cuba’s revolution through their work. And Castro declared the revolution socialist. Cuba, he said, would pursue communism. Under Cuba’s communist system, artists essentially had no way to sell their work. But the government supported them financially. There was thus an incentive to produce art that portrayed the government and its goals in a positive light. During the early years of the Castro regime, Cuba became allied with the Soviet Union, the world’s most powerful com- munist country. The Soviet Union provided Cuba with gener- ous economic aid. It also sent cultural “experts” to the island. Soviet instructors took over teaching positions at Cuba’s art academies. They promoted a style of art known as socialist

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Arts and Literature of Cuba