Dualidad Antillana:
Cuba & Puerto Rico

Duality: The quality or condition of being dual; an instance of opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of something; a dualism.

Cuba and Puerto Rico. These two Antilles were conquered by Spain in 1492 and 1493 by Christopher Columbus. They had similar histories and were participants of many of the same wars and struggles. Cubans and Puerto Ricans have similar roots: the Native Indian Tainos, Spaniards, Africans, and Europeans, with some Asian influences as well. They were both colonies of Spain for more than 400 years. Until the United States became involved, their evolution through a revolution of so many aspects, from political to agricultural, from social democracy to socialism…the future can only tell the continuous duality of these two countries.

Puerto Rico remains a colony of the United States while Cuba is an independent country governed by one political party and structure since 1959. Both are “democratic” but with their own idiosyncrasies.

Artists from both countries are influenced by their environment, their people, religions, political situation, spirituality, their roots, and cultural influences; materials are limited in Cuba (for many reasons) while in Puerto Rico are expensive due to the Acts that impact the economy and port taxes.

CUBA

“The problem today is to maintain socialist principles when we have to use not only socialist but capitalist means.”

CUBA & PR

“No es Facil – It is not Easy”applies to anything nowadays."

CUBA & PR

"We love U.S. culture, we play your sports, study your language, and know all of your Hollywood stars."

PR

"The problem today is to maintain our values as a country instead of kneeling to the US for aide, when they treat us as a third-class citizen. We are the oldest colony in the world."

"

I HAVE A WHITE ROSE TO TEND

I cultivate a white rose
In June as in January
For the sincere friend
who shakes my hand frankly.
And for the cruel person
Who would want to break my heart,
I cultivate, neither thistles nor thorns,
I cultivate a white rose.

Jose Marti

Cultivo una rosa blanca
en junio como enero
para el amigo sincero
que me da su mano franca.
Y para el cruel que me arranca el corazón con que vivo,
cardo ni ortiga cultivo;
cultivo la rosa blanca.

Jose Marti

Wilfred Labiosa

Taino Indian Goddesses

Acrylic on Paper
15" x 17"

Rios

Zumbadora

Silk Screen
20" x 28"

Mauro Coca

La Tabaquera

Silk Screen
25.5" x 33"

Cuevas

Bomba y Plena

Acrylic on Paper
19" x 38"

Max

Aire

Silk Screen
21" x 27"

Luciano

Botellas

Silk Screen
19" x 17"

Wilfred Labiosa

Taino Indian Gods