Manuel Mendive Hoyos and the Equidistance in Facets of Identity
At the tender age of eleven, Manuel Mendive Hoyos was awarded the Society for the Exaltation of Motherhood Prize by UNESCO in Tokyo. A brief overview of his artistic journey highlights the global recognition his work has garnered. Among his accolades, Mendive has received the Adam Montparnasse Prize at the XXIV Salon de Mai in Paris, the National Prize for Visual Arts in Cuba (2001), the Order of Arts and Letters from the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie of France, and the Félix Varela Order from the Cuban Council of State.
His work is featured in prestigious institutions such as the National Museum of Fine Arts in Havana, the Museum of Modern Art in Panama, the Atlantic Center of Modern Art in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, the Georges Pompidou Museum in Paris, and the José Luis Cuevas Museum in Mexico, among others.
Mendive’s artistic legacy transcends the boundaries of religion (Yoruba pantheon) and identity (rooted in African heritage), reaching beyond specific memories and existential parallels to stand as one of the most significant artists of the largest Caribbean archipelago. He is widely regarded as a prominent successor to the legacies of Wifredo Lam and Roberto Diago.
«My pillar is the Yoruba religion, my pillar is faith, my pillar is mysticism, my pillar is truth, and my pillars are also kindness and sweetness, as well as anguish, earth, and life,» Mendive once declared. He further emphasized:
«The responsibility lies in creating good, worthy, and brave work for myself and for the people at home and abroad. Carrying this responsibility is not a burden; on the contrary, it’s a joy. It means the world knows one is here for a reason: to say something, to create.»
This ethos underpins Mendive’s body of work, which spans diverse media and methods. His creations defy categorization, encompassing expressive and meaningful spaces that explore artistic arguments through the lens of the Yoruba religion. To this end, Mendive employs drawing, painting, woodworking, sculpture, and performance, integrating these with musical and dance elements.
Art critic and researcher Pierre Restany noted, “The genius of the artist lies in his miraculous ability to create a visual dialogue—a coexistence of his imagery and our perception that blends intuition with fascination.” Mendive has fulfilled this role with distinction, evolving from a unique artistic expression in his early works to a foundational trajectory that celebrates the contribution of African culture to Cuban identity, transcending stereotypes, ideologies, and temporal boundaries.
“I come from within myself and always find myself in the deepest part of my being. The elements of Afro-Cuban culture are both the motivation and the breath that fuel my great discourse. Life, death, and everything are there within them: good, evil, and the most beautiful moments, revealing all that exists in us. I live with my ancestors and my gods,” Mendive explained.
Today, December 15, Manuel Mendive celebrates his 80th birthday. This milestone invites heartfelt wishes and congratulations, extending the recognition of a lifetime dedicated to reconnecting with his roots to uncover the essential markers of humanity in all its diverse manifestations.
Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez
