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