Cundo Bermúdez (b. 1914) Cundo Bermúdez is considered the most important living Cuban artist. He was born in Havana in 1914. Bermúdez began studying art as a young man at Havana's San Alejandro Academy. Following his stint in art school, Bermúdez studied law and social sciences at the University of Havana, all the while continuing to paint. Following Bermúdez's time at the University, the artist traveled to Mexico to study at the Academia de San Carlos. This was a time when the Cuban government was very supportive of modern art and artists. This governmental support fostered many national exhibitions and allowed for travel to other countries, providing artists with the opportunity to freely exchange with their European, South American and Mexican counterparts. While in Mexico, Bermúdez became a close friend of Rufino Tamayo. The work of los tres grandes impressed the artist greatly and the respect proved to be mutual as is evidenced by the following quote by Siqueiros in 1943: Cundo Bermúdez represents a boldness in the visual arts. He knows how to construct a composition in a synchronized manner. With tones first, to create a pictorial depth, then he builds and organizes a composition - almost in a miraculous manner. I believe that this artist has great importance in the chromatic range of modern Cuban painting. Upon his return to Cuba the artist participated in the 1941 Cuban Contemporary Art Exhibition where he made the first sale of his artwork. In 1944 New York's MoMA installed an exhibition of work by Cuban painters, including Bermúdez. This exhibition launched his international exhibition exposure; his works were included in museum exhibitions throughout the Americas and Europe, as well as the 26th Venice Biennial and the 1956 Sao Paulo Biennial. Following Fidel Castro's coming to power in 1959, Bermúdez left Cuba and for Puerto Rico, wanting to remain in the light of the tropical sun. While in Puerto Rico, the artist painted the untitled work that Art Cellar Exchange has available for sale. As is readily visible in this painting, the light and bright colors of the tropics has never ceased to influence Cundo Bermúdez. In the 1990s the artist relocated to the United States and settled in Miami, where he lives today.