The Cuban artist Yulier Rodríguez, known as Yulier P., performed a striking action as a farewell to Cuba before emigrating to Spain: he wrote the word "freedom" using his own blood.
"My latest work," he posted on Instagram alongside images from the event held on March 18, 2025, a day before leaving the country.
“Performative action that pays tribute to the many men and women who have sacrificed their lives, freedom, and the well-being of their families for the freedom of the Cuban people,” stated the artist, who had blood drawn to write his message on a yellow background.
After Rodríguez departed for Madrid along with his wife and son, following years of censorship, surveillance, and restrictions imposed by the regime.
In a statement to CiberCuba, he explained that living conditions on the island became unbearable for him and that repression prevented him from exercising his art freely.
"I couldn't find any opportunity to sell my work because the owners were threatened, nor could I participate in any cultural center," she reported.
He also pointed to the rising violence and social decay as determining factors for his departure: “It’s already a risk to live in Cuba. I couldn’t allow my son to grow up here, in a system where education and social prospects are based on lies.”
Yulier P., born in Camagüey in 1989, became known for his expressionist-style graffiti and ghostly figures, which marked the urban landscape of Havana until many of them were removed by orders from the State Security.
For years, he worked independently, using recycled materials and debris to create his works after the regime closed all institutional doors to him.
Although in previous interviews he had stated that he did not plan to leave the country, the sustained pressure and the degradation of the environment ultimately pushed him into exile.
"The regime corrupts the character of individuals, turning them into accomplices of oppression. The Cuban population becomes more ignorant, unconscious, and violent every day," he lamented.
Frequently Asked Questions about Yulier Rodríguez's Artistic Farewell in Cuba
Why did Yulier Rodríguez decide to leave Cuba?
Yulier Rodríguez decided to leave Cuba due to the unsustainable living conditions on the island, the repression that prevented him from practicing his art freely, and the violence and social decay that increased the risk to his family. He expressed that he could not allow his son to grow up in a system based on lies.
What does Yulier Rodríguez's farewell piece symbolize?
The farewell piece by Yulier Rodríguez, in which he wrote the word "freedom" with his own blood, serves as a tribute to those who have sacrificed their lives and freedom for the Cuban people. It is a raw and symbolic expression of the pain and struggle for freedom in Cuba.
What has Yulier Rodríguez's artistic career been like in Cuba?
Yulier Rodríguez is known for his expressionist-style graffiti and ghostly figures. Despite being a prominent artist, he has faced censorship, surveillance, and restrictions from the Cuban regime. Due to these limitations, he has worked independently, using recycled materials to keep creating despite the adversities.
What message has Yulier Rodríguez conveyed about the situation in Cuba?
Yulier Rodríguez has denounced the situation in Cuba, describing how the regime corrupts the character of individuals and turns the population into accomplices of oppression. He has also spoken about the increasing ignorance, unconsciousness, and social violence, as well as the lack of freedom to express his art.
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