The Museum of Modern Art in New York City is exhibiting a major retrospective of Wifredo Lam's work called Wifredo Lam: When I Don't Sleep, I Dream
The Jungle 1943
The Jungle is probably Lam's most famous work. It depicts figures that are part human, part animal and part plant in a sugarcane field. It is a statement about colonization and Afro-Cuban culture.
Wifredo Lam was born in Cuba and is known for his large scale paintings that blended modern aesthetics with Afro Cuban imagery, focusing on themes of social justice, spirituality and rebirth. Santerìa, a Cuban/African religion was a reoccurring theme. His heritage was a combination of Chinese, Spanish and African.
Untitled, 1938
In 1923 Lam left Cuba to study painting in Spain. Fifteen years later he moved to Paris with a letter of introduction to Pablo Picasso. Through Picasso he met other artists in Paris and his work began to move toward a more modern style, incorporating elements of Cubism and Surrealism.
"With regard to life, modern painting is a revolutionary activity...
We need it in order to transform the world into a more humane place where mankind can live in liberty... We must accept these things with passion. It means that we must live imaginatively."
Zambezia, Zambezia 1950
Lam created the oil painting Zambezia, Zambezia in oil as a part of the Surrealist art movement. The subject is part human and part mythical creature. One of the things I like about it is the combination of geometric and more organic lines. This piece is part of the Guggenheim collection in New York City.
The onset of World War II forced Lam to leave Paris in 1941 and returned to Cuba. At this point he further embraced his Cuban roots and included more flora and colors of Cuba as well as more symbolism from Santerìa.
The Eternal Present (1944)
Lam painted The Eternal Present as a comment on the racial inequality and political corruption he found still in Cuba.
Wifredo Lam and Picasso, 1966
The MOMA exhibition features over 150 pieces and will run through March 28, 2026,