The Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas will inaugurate the exhibition 'Remembering Manuel Comas: A Tribute to a Cuban Artist' on August 30, 2024, in homage to the recently deceased Cuban artist. Close friends of Comas have organized this tribute nearly a year and a half after his passing. Manuel Comas passed away on December 6, 2022. Rubén Rodríguez and Carlos Llanes initiated the efforts to ensure that this tribute to a Cuban artist would not go unrecognized. The exhibition will showcase works by Comas, as well as by Rubén and Carlos—artists who share much more than just a passion for abstract art. This will not be the first time they exhibit together, and we hope it won’t be the last. With this exhibition, MoCAA honors not only Manuel's artistic legacy but also all Cuban artists living 'on the other side.'
These three artists hail from a country where, at one point, the authorities deemed abstract art as turning its back on reality and, therefore, saw it as almost counter-revolutionary. Beyond a friendship spanning many years, they share similarities in their approach to painting. Perhaps Rubén is the least abstract of the three, yet he still leans much more towards abstraction than figurative art. Both Rubén and Manuel have explored eroticism as a recurring theme in much of their work, with Comas approaching it in a far more raw and unfiltered manner. As for Carlos, I am unaware of any erotic pieces by him. Comas's most abstract works align closely with those of Llanes, revealing many formal commonalities.
However, this tribute is conceived primarily from friendship. They met in Cuba, of course, many years ago, and all three eventually emigrated and settled in Miami—a circumstance that has only strengthened their bonds. The experience of an emigrant artist—especially one from Cuba—entails a radical shift in lifestyle and work. While in Cuba, artists have historically worked full-time and had the luxury of time; here, it’s more common for them to devote time to activities that allow them to meet their far more pressing financial obligations. It’s a topic worthy of discussion and a shared lament. It often seems that in this environment, the strongest friendships disintegrate, and new ones are formed with very little foundation.