Museum in Cuba Refuses to Loan Wifredo Lam Pieces to MoMA Due to U.S. Import Regulations
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) in New York is set to host a retrospective for the renowned Cuban artist, Wifredo Lam, titled "When I Don't Sleep, I Dream." The exhibition, running from November 10, 2025, to April 11, 2026, features 150 artworks from throughout Lam's life, making it one of the more anticipated fall exhibitions.
Christophe Cherix, the newly appointed director of MoMA, and Beverly Adams, the museum's curator of Latin American art, are the curators of this retrospective. Their meticulous work has led to the rediscovery of long-lost artworks such as Harpe Astrale and La Guerra Civil.
One of the highlights of the exhibition is the oil and charcoal work on paper, Grande Composition, 1949, which is Lam's largest artwork. An unnamed Parisian collector sold this masterpiece to MoMA, and it will be showcased in the retrospective.
However, the exhibition will not feature artworks from the National Museum of Fine Arts in Havana due to concerns about potential seizure by a US court. This potential seizure is related to claims by Cuban exiles and others seeking compensation for property confiscated in the revolution.
Interestingly, the curatorial team used infrared spectroscopy to determine that The Jungle, 1942-43, was made with oil, not gouache, as previously believed. Adams, the curator, is the museum's expert in Latin American art, and her insightful work has contributed significantly to the understanding of Lam's art.
The retrospective's title, "When I Don't Sleep, I Dream," is a quote from Lam himself, reflecting his creative process and the surreal, dreamlike quality of his art. Visitors to the exhibition can expect to immerse themselves in the vivid, imaginative world of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
The reinstatement of Cuba's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism by President Trump in January 2021 has not deterred the curators or the museum from organising this significant retrospective. It serves as a testament to the enduring power of art and its ability to transcend political boundaries.
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