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A Visit to Sandra Ramos’s Studio Cuban Art Rachel Sukman All images courtesy of Sandra Ramos I first heard of Cuban artist Sandra Ramos through my New York friend , Edward Rubin . In October 2016 I arrived at Ramos’s home in a pleasant , quiet part of Havana . The spacious , illuminated studio is located in a large courtyard . Daylight plays an important role in observation of her paintings , so I was happy to be greeted by sunshine as we approached . The studio walls were over ֳ owing with works from different periods in her oeuvre , and a large work table stood in the middle of the room . In the studio we were guided by Liane , the artist’s sister , who was well-versed in the numerous techniques and themes comprising each work . Ramos divides her time between Havana and Miami , where she has another studio , enabling her to work throughout the USA as well . Many of her works address the tough problem of ongoing migration from Cuba to Miami , and some lament the bitter fate of the refugees . Thus , for instance , El circulo de Tiza ( The Chalk Circle , 2002 ) alludes to the story of an immigrant craft that sank while trying to escape communist Cuba for Miami , featuring a Cuban boy , Elián González , who survived the catastrophe , and whose case was discussed in court for years . The story behind this piece calls to mind the biblical Judgment of Solomon : relatives conducting a heated controversy over a young child , whether he should be returned to his father in Cuba or stay with his uncle in Miami . Another work centered on the same issue and the same ambivalence , A Conversation with Proteus ( 2012 ) , was created ten years later . A “ pioneer" girl in a red dress ( like the child in the aforesaid painting ) functions as the artist’s alter-ego , standing for the young generation in Cuba–primary school children with their red uniforms ; behind her are El Bobo , the fool ( a figure based on a political caricature from the 1930 s ) , and Liborio , reminiscent of Fidel Castro . On the left is the mythological sea god Proteus , who stands for the United States . Between the Cuba and the US–is the word “ future , " indicating , according to the artist , the need to resolve the ongoing lack of communication between the two countries . Sandra Ramos was born in Havana in 1969 ; lives and works in Havana and Miami . She is a graduate of the Higher Institute of Art ( ISA ) , Havana . Her works have been exhibited throughout the United States , Latin America , and Europe . Sandra Ramos , Autumn in New York , 2014–2015 , charcoal and acrylic on canvas print , 97 ש 254 , קרוי וינב ויתס , סומר הרדנס לע קילירקאו םחפ , 2015–2014 97 ש 254 , דב לע ספדה
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