Servando and the revelation of bodies

The retrospective exhibition La memoria de los borrados, exhibited at the National Museum of Fine Arts, gathers art works from different stage in the life of Servando Cabrera Moreno, an artist who went —without problems— from abstraction to outright figurative expressionism, until he rested in a more canonical definition, a more sensual, suggestive, sharp erotic zone. It is the realization of distinctive authorial signature. You look at the art works and you quickly notice it: this is Servando’s.

Most of the art works is a revelation of bodies, a feast of senses, a celebration of love, passion, life itself…The human being is the heart of creation to Servando Cabrera Moreno. And the body is much more than the temple.

Some lines of discourse are matched in this art exhibition. In fact, in accordance to the logic of curatorship, some stories are portrayed. Servando was a very prolific artist with a journey full of adventures, and the exhibition also presents a selection of photos, documents, designs, drawings, stationery and awards, as the Joan Miró Award.

In their work as curators, specialists Rosemary Rodríguez Cruz and Teresa Toranzo managed to highlight subjects that still generates controversy, forty years after the passing of the artist. During his lifetime, Servando was victim of injustice, exclusion, misunderstanding, and wrong enforcement of the cultural policy…And yet, he never betrayed the essence of his work. For some, most of his figurative work are still disturbing, but the artist chose to champion his truth against all obstacles. He may be regarded, somehow, a prodigy.

La memoria de los borrados, made up of several art collections, shows the usefulness of group efforts.

Servando painted and drew a lot. He was also master of many other artists, even though he was prohibited from teaching from time to time. But ultimately, he became undisputable referent of Cuban art in the last century. His legacy cannot be ignored. He is now permanent and this exhibition attests to the importance of his legacy.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff