Painter Wifredo Lam (1902-1982) was born in Cuba, the son of a Spanish/black mother and a Chinese father.  Trained as an academic realist, Lam’s art evolved to include modern aspects after his introduction to the work of Picasso and Matisse in Spain.

Picasso was a good friend to Lam and also a great influence.  But after living in Europe for many years, Lam returned to Cuba in 1942 where he reconnected with his Afro-Cuban background and transformed his work yet again.  Lam’s masterwork is The Jungle, often compared to in achievement, and once hung by, Picasso’s Guernica.

Of his art Lam once said: “… With all my energy I sought to paint the drama of my country, but most of all to lend expression to the spirit of Negro man, the beauty of Negro plastic art…”-Heidi Durrow

Mixed Experience History Month is the annual blog post series created by The New York Times best-selling author Heidi Durrow celebrating the history of the Mixed experience. Established in 2007, Mixed Experience History Month is an effort to highlight the long history of folks and events involved in the Mixed experience.  Please look for archived profiles of people, places and events of the Mixed experience every weekday of May at Lightskinned-ed Girl, the blog!  Thanks for reading.  And check out some of the previous year’s profiles: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,  2013, 2014. Copyright 2015.