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Rigoberto Antonio Guerrero is a young contemporary Cuban artist. He was born in 1968 in Matanzas, Cuba, under the Castro regime. There he grew up in a household where artistic expression was appreciated and encouraged. Although materials were not always available, his dreams and ideas were always abundant.
In 1986 he was drafted into the army and immediately transported to Africa to fight in the Ethiopian War. Although he longed for his homeland, he found himself inspired by the people and scenes of Africa. There he developed an interest in modern expressionism. He began to experiment with modern forms of visual art.
The popularity of his work led him to exhibit his paintings while stationed at the military base.
Guerrero returned to Cuba in 1988 where he resumed his job as an artisan. His talents include painting, engraving, woodcarving, sculpting and metal work.
Feeling inhibited by Cuba’s government, and unhappy with the increasingly worsening living conditions, Guerrero decided to broaden his horizons by fleeing Cuba. In April of 1992, Guerrero, along with two other men, climbed into a raft they had secretly designed and built, and floated off from the coast of Matanzas. They were at sea five days before they were rescued and brought to the U.S.
In January, of 1995, Guerrero’s “Balseros del 92”, (“The Rafters of 92”) was exhibited at Vanidades Gallery, in Miami, FL. This painting was part of a collection of works donated to the Jose Marti Foundation to raise money for Florida International University student scholarships. This portrait of himself along with his cousin and friend fleeing from Cuba was said to best commemorate the occasion.
On May 17, 1996,Guerrero’s work was exhibited by US Rep Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in Washington D.C. as part of the “Cubans in Exile” exhibit.
During the time he has resided in the U.S., Guerrero has encountered many hardships. However, these hardships, he feels, have led him to discover new ideas for a new beginning. His time here has allowed him to explore new means of self-expression.
Guerrero conglomerates his work by phases; concentrating on different themes and using a variety of media. His subject matter is based on the episodes and emotional stages of he has encountered in his life. The assortment of media he uses reflects an expressionistic style. He paints with acrylics as well as oils. He explores line design with pencils and uses mixed media to create montages. His experimenting in styles increases the originality of his work.
Guerrero desires to exhibit his work as a display of Cuban expressionism. In order to celebrate his origins he does not wish to mere display “Cuban Art” but the work of a young Cuban artist.
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