Rumblings of The Earth: Wifredo Lam, His Work and WordsPosted in Arts, Asian Diaspora, Biography, Caribbean/Latin America, Media Archive, Religion, Videos on 2012-03-05 21:32Z by Steven |
Rumblings of The Earth: Wifredo Lam, His Work and Words
Filmakers Library (an imprint of Alexander Street Press)
1996
23 minutes
Denise Byrd
Awards
- San Antonio CINEFEST, 1996
- Latin American Studies Association, 1995
The Afro-Cuban artist Wifredo Lam played a leading role in bringing the art of the non-white world to the attention of the international community. Of mixed race and cultural heritage, he was born in 1902 in Sangua La Grande, Cuba to a mother who was a descendent of slaves and a father who was a Chinese immigrant. In his youth he was exposed to the rich heritage of African, Santaria and Confucian traditions. These traditions affected him deeply and are reflected in his art which is in the collections of major museums here and abroad.
This film follows Lam from student days in Havana through his development as an artist in Europe where he became a close friend of Picasso and other luminaries. Upon returning to Cuba, Lam rediscovered his roots, became a leader in the Négritude movement, and produced his most famous work, “The Jungle.”
This richly illustrated film uses Lam’s paintings and writing along with interviews with authorities on art and Caribbean culture to trace the evolution of a unique and truly multicultural twentieth century artist.