Artist： José Fuster
Date：2006
Location：The Jaimanitas neighborhood Habana Cuba
Media/Type: Ceramic murals
Commissioner：Various, many are the artist's neighbors
Researcher： Cally Ingebritson
It’s easy to tell when you’ve reached José Fuster’s neighborhood outside of Havana. Fuster’s home workshop looks like it’s been transported from Barcelona’s Parc Güell. He’s lived there nearly 30 years. When he moved there, it was a small wooden house and Fuster began creating his dream home by covering each wall in detailed ceramic murals.
With time, his house was completely transformed: each wall, doorway and even the roof was adorned with brightly colored shapes and sculptures. Fuster’s neighbors were drawn to his unique style. One by one they asked him to decorate their homes in ceramics, each with a unique design. Fuster began hiring his neighbors to assist with his work saying, “This project isn’t just for my house, it’s a community-based project for the whole area. All my neighbors are my partners.”
Fuster has garnered attention both within Cuba and on an international level. Fuster's excellence rests in his grassroots approach to improving the aesthetics of his entire neighborhood. |
