Episode 2: Samuel Riera and Derbis Campos at Riera Studio

Cuba is an Onion: Conversations in Havana and Beyond

In this episode, Ken Foster sits down with Samuel Riera and Derbis Campos to discuss the life of Cuban artists. We begin by discussing the system that recognizes “official” artists in Cuba, which requires formal training and a license. But Samuel and Derbis work with people outside the system: adults with disabilities who work entirely on their own. Samuel and Derbis started the Art Brut Cuba Project in 2013 and have now found recognition internationally for their work and the artists they support. We also talk about the San Isidro artists who have been imprisoned for criticizing the government, and the mass exodus of many of their friends due to the economic and political struggles post-pandemic.
For more information on their work, visit rierastudioart.com
For more on podcast host Ken Foster, visit kenfosterbooks.com

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