Artist Profile: Santiago Lambert

The vibrant colors of coastal life in Cuba come alive in the works of Santiago Lambert, 49. He is a classically trained painter who later in life switched to a derivative style we can call "akimbo." Legs and arms go off in different directions, while the fisherman’s or lover’s gaze remains fixed on something beyond the viewers’ sight. Lambert’s works are a mixture of allegory and social commentary, with his portraits and caricatures leaving viewers with a sense of the mystery and fun of life. His paintings show the magical world of light as seen in Cuba, with the power to stir the emotions of the viewer. In the end, Lambert remains a favorite Cuban artist of many because his paintings express something of the laughter that is within all of us, just waiting to emerge.

—Ana Weir