"The Man Who Makes Art Does Not Make War"

I was born in 1931 in Matanzas, Cuba, into a humble and loving family. When I was small I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps and become a musician. I was passionate about drawing, however, and amused myself illustrating the schoolbooks of my cousins. 

My Uncle Carlos kept all my drawings, and when I was 10, Uncle Carlos showed my work to a certain Professor Alberto Tarasco, who loved what he saw and suggested that I receive lessons at his Academy. I was invited there on a one-year fellowship. But I ended up remaining at the Academy for over five years, until I was 16.

My teacher wanted me to go on to the Academy of Beaux Arts, but my parents preferred instead that I become a lawyer, rather than devoting myself to painting. 

After long and heated discussions with them, and my unstinting insistence that my path lay in art not in law, they finally allowed me to return to study Fine Arts as long as I graduated. I did – receiving a degree in painting. 

I can not thank my Uncle Carlos enough for working so hard to help me strengthen my vocation. I was already an eager draftsmen, but thanks to his encouragement, I drew all the time, and was inspired by great contemporary painters such as Wifredo Lam, Ponce de Leon, Carlos Enriquez ...

I had the opportunity later to meet Wilfredo Lam himself in Paris, as well as the famous archaeologist an poet Robert Ganzo, who was one of his great friends. 

At the time we were living in Montparnasse, and dined at the Dome, the celebrated spot, where we also had a chance to meet Von Dongen, Sadkin, Foujita and his wife Fernande Barrey. 

Why an Art Museum in Matanzas?

When I was a student, in order to see original works of art by notable contemporary artists, I needed to travel to Havana, since there was no museum in Matanzas. 

I decided that one day if I had the means that I would found a museum in my hometown. And that day has finally arrived. I was able to create an art museum in Matanzas, and to help its collection with the gift of my own art, donations from my personal collections – including 800 original prints, including several by Rembrandt, and gifts that have been made to me by my painter friends throughout my life. Furthermore, being true to my Afro-Cuban origins, I also supplied the museum with original works of African art.  

Matanzas is my hometown, a beautiful, blue and sparkling city on the sea. Matanzas Bay is as big as the bay of Santiago de Cuba. It's a place of art and above all, of music: Some great Cuban rhythms were born in Matanzas: the Danzon, the Guaguanco, and also the Mambo. 

My hope for the Matanzas Art Museum is that it become recognized internationally for its collection of work by known, unknown, forgotten and yet-to-be discovered masters. 

Why a Foundation?

Although as a still-working artist it's likely that I will die with a brush in hand, at the same time my dearest wish is to help poor and struggling artists to develop their art. I myself needed financial encouragement as a young man – and as I grew successful I vowed to help struggling artists, mainly those in Cuba and France.

The world needs art. The man who makes art is not interested in waging war. I am a painter of the beauty of the world. I want that war cease. I want to love, not to hold grudges. Painting is necessary for the future of art. Art allows us to breathe, and it brings people together. As I have had chances, I wish to give a chance to others. 

After the Cuban Revolution, I had a scholarship thanks to that revolution. I was a revolutionary from the first, and will always be a revolutionary, with my brush. I want to battle for my country with art as a weapon of choice. 

I also want Cuba to become an artistic reference in terms of painting. I want to make art accessible to all Cubans. So that exhibitions of art can travel to the remotest corners of the country and, indeed, the world and put forward the musical culture of Matanzas, La Rumba, The Mambo, The Danzon, The Guaguanco, etc. Art is for everyone. 

Cuban art is for everyone. 

My grandson, David Padilla and his wife, Mary, have helped me in this quest. They are very committed to seeing this foundation grow as well as my brother Pedro Padilla. I want to dedicate this foundation to them, as well as to Gracia, my late wife, and my lasting inspiration: I miss her so much, but she is always in my heart.

Who Have Been My Greatest Inspirations?

The biggest for me has always been Diego Velazquez. He is, in fact, a precursor to Impressionism, and was a key to the freedom of expression on canvas. But I have also been inspired by Goya, El Greco, Turner, Monet. My dream has to be associated somehow with these great artists. I say this without pretension. I am a person who draws his strength by imitating the art of others  -- I am inspired by them. I hope one day people will speak of me as a great painter, certainly, but above all as a great benefactor. 

Lorenzo Padilla