While the first Cuban artistic expressions date back to the pre-Columbian period with the Taíno. Who left behind ceramics, sculptures, and cave paintings, Cuban art, influenced by European styles such as Baroque and Neoclassicism, has emerged as an expression of national identity.
Amid a challenging cultural landscape, from eastern Cuba, visual artist Raylven Friman clings to the magic of abstract creation on canvas. Which today establishes him as one of the most dedicated contemporary exponents of this art form in Cuba.
In the city of Bayamo, located at 204 Amado Estévez Street between General García and José Martí Streets. The Friman Studio houses the artist’s creations, also providing a space for the public to explore the world of the visual arts alongside Friman.
“We’re open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., which we consider just the right amount of time to study the exhibition,” explained the artista. Also acknowledged that he enjoys the opportunity to visit the public while he’s developing his work.
In two decades of constant growth from the city of Bayamo, the young artist has carved out a solid career. Reflected in around 20 solo exhibitions internationally, private collections in some 25 countries, and various awards. Although he admits that for him, the greatest recognition is achieving a good exhibition that attracts a large audience and that they express their satisfaction.
“I’ve had audiences tell me: ‘I don’t know what you mean in that painting, but I like it,’ and then you know the goal has been achieved. Your work has reached that person; and that’s exactly what I aim to receive for my work.”
“Sometimes I think 20 years is not enough, and when I look back I realize it has been a vast undertaking, but I always think about how much I still have to do. Many projects to work on, achievements to attain, and more spaces for my work. Achieving greater diversification of my work, that is an eternal debt.”
The celebration of 20 years of his artistic career coincides with the 100th anniversary of the University of Bari, Italy. An event to which the artist was invited thanks to his previous participation in exhibitions in the European country.
A graduate of the Professional School of Plastic Arts of Las Tunas, Raylven Friman, from his studio, the second of its kind in Bayamo. Affirms that he continues to create his work from his homeland, which was captured in the book Abstract Painting in Cuba, by researcher Jorge Luis Peraza.
To date, Friman has not presented his work in the city of Holguin, but in conversation with this journalist, he expressed interest and motivation. Attracted by important Holguin cultural events such as the May Pilgrimages and other important spaces offered by the Holguin Provincial Center for the Visual Arts.
By: Melissa Laura del Cerro Figueredo
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