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Philanthropic Picasso

April 19, 2012 by alcrook

José Fuster has been hailed “the Picasso of the Caribbean.” He studied art at La Escuela Nacional de Instructores de Arte and has won numerous awards including the Distinction of the National Culture, the highest award in Cuba. His work is inspired by Picasso, which is evident in his use of color and shape. His is infamous in Cuba and throughout the world, but it is not just his art, both sculpture and paintings, that are what makes Fuster incredible. It is project.

Jose Fuster

Fuster lives in Jaimanitas, a neighborhood in Havana that battles with poverty and falling apart buildings, as do most neighborhoods in a Havana that is literally crumbling away. He has sought to change his neighbor drastically with his art, and, indeed, it truly is one of a kind in Cuba. Fuster has taken his art, particularly small tiled creations, to the streets, houses, benches, sidewalks, roofs, and walls. Fuster’s art covers the neighborhood, using over 80 homes as the canvas for his creations.

: Our Group Approaching Fusterlandia

: View of the neighborhood from Fuster’s roof

We were fortunate enough to be able to visit Fuster’s home, nicknamed Fusterlandia, a suessical home that was nothing like I had ever seen. The colors stood out in stark contrast to the overcast day and in even starker contrast to the dirty and decrepit neighborhoods we drove through to get there. We, and many other tour groups, enjoyed the privilege of walking throughout the outside of the house, enjoying a small art gallery inside, and seeing various small workshops. Postcards of his works and small tiles were available for purchase.

View from Fuster's balcony overlooking the pool

Fuster’s work attracts hundreds of tourists daily. I was surprised to see three other tour buses there when our group arrived. While it was not quite as exclusive or intimate as I had hoped, this is enormously beneficial to the neighborhood. The influx of tourists, bringing their CUCs to purchase souvenirs of Fuster allows him to continue his work and support work. He takes the money he earns and reinvests it in further expanding his work and improving the neighborhood. The vibe of the neighborhood is significantly changed as a result of Fuster’s work. Tourist money aside, the neighborhood has been not only aesthetically improved but inspired.