LAM Wifredo

Biography of Wifredo Lam

Wifredo Óscar de la Concepción Lam y Castilla was born on 8 December 1902 in Sagua La Grande, Cuba. Born in China by his father and Afro-Cuban by his mother, he was very early influenced by this dual culture. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Havana, then continued his artistic training in Madrid from 1923. There, he discovered the great Spanish masters like Goya and Velázquez, while opening up to modern currents.

During the Spanish civil war, Lam joined the Republicans. In 1938, he joined Paris where he met Pablo Picasso, who would become a mentor. Thanks to him, Lam came into contact with surrealists, including André Breton. The arrival of the war prompted him to return to Cuba in 1941. This return to the sources nourishes his work in depth, especially through the influence of Afro-Cuban religions such as the sanería.

Artistic career

Wifredo Lam develops a singular style, at the crossroads of surrealism, cubism and Afro-Caribbean cultures. In 1943, he painted The Jungle, one of his most famous works, which embodies this unique fusion of hybrid forms and mystical symbols. This painting marks a turning point in his career and permanently establishes his reputation on the international scene.

Over time, Lam explores various artistic media: painting, drawing, engraving, ceramics and sculpture. He collaborates with writers such as Aimé Césaire and René Char, illustrating their texts. His numerous visits to Haiti, Mexico, Europe and Japan enrich his plastic language.

Style and influences

The universe of Wifredo Lam is populated by anthropomorphic figures, masks, totems and spirits. It is inspired by African and Caribbean rituals, which it translates into a formal grammar close to cubism and surrealism. His work was marked by a deep commitment against colonialism and a universal quest for identity.

Distinction and recognition

Throughout his life, Wifredo Lam received worldwide recognition. He took part in the Venice Biennale, the Kassel Documenta and enjoyed important retrospectives. In 1964, he was awarded the Guggenheim International Award. His works are preserved in the largest museums, such as the Pompidou Centre, the MoMA or the Tate.

The works of Wifredo Lam at Gallery 125

The Gallery 125 offers works by Wifredo Lam, available for sale online and in the gallery. These pieces reflect the symbolic richness and formal power of his work, offering art lovers a unique dive into a world where spirituality, modernity and collective memory meet.