Diversity in 21st-Century Sculptures in Matanzas.
Current sculptures are often tinged with social metaphors. They question history, emigration, consumer society, and human values.
One of the unique features of the current sculptural movement in Matanzas lies in its aesthetic and conceptual diversity, as there is no single hegemonic style.
The scarcity of traditional materials such as bronze and marble fostered the creativity of artists who then turned to resin, ceramics, reclaimed wood, recycled metal, objects found in diverse locations, and mixed media.
Over the years, these changes became a hallmark of identity, which led to the forging of a very Matanzas-style conceptual strength. Current sculptural works are often tinged with social metaphors. They question history, emigration, consumer society, and human values.
Far from eroding that creative spirit, artists have increased their national and international presence, actively participating in crucial events such as the Havana Biennial through the projects Intermittent Rivers and Integrated Bodies, the Provincial Visual Arts Salons, and other group and solo exhibitions, both within and outside the province.
Although commemorative monumental sculpture has declined, there is still a strong presence of large-scale figures, located on the banks of the San Juan River and along the main roads and the viaduct that crosses the city.
Also notable are the exhibitions at the Pedro Esquerré Gallery, the UNEAC, the House of Scenic Memory, and the Lorenzo Padilla Art Museum. The legacy of being the Athens of Cuba endures, but no longer in classical form, but in a vibrant sculptural production that reflects the essence of contemporary society.
Written by María Elena Bayón.
