Actors and artists flock to the opening of Miami Five Art exhibition
Campaign News | Tuesday, 24 April 2012
"I can not express the honour I have to see my son's humble work, painted from his prison cell, exhibited here, alongside the work of such great Cuban and international artists." Mirta Rodriguez, mother of Miami Five prisoner Antonio Guerrero, was speaking to the hundreds of guests who packed the prestigious London Gallery 27 last night at the opening gala of Beyond the Frame.
Many pieces of artwork were sold on the first day of the exhibition, which aims to raise funds and awareness for the Miami Five campaign and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Cuban art.
Eduardo Roca Salazar and Lesbia Vent Dumois, two of the artists exhibiting, were at the opening alongside Mirta and her daughter Maruchi Guerrero, sister of Antonio.
British and international personalities from the arts world were present to buy work and show their support for the Five, including ballet dancer, Carlos Acosta, human rights campaigner, Bianca Jagger, actor, Roger Lloyd Pack, poet, Benjamin Zephaniah, artist and writer, Rasheed Araeen, curator, Andrew Dempsey, artist Robert Ballagh, curator Dawn Ades, and many more.
Cuban Ambassador, Esther Armenteros, was joined by Ambassadors and diplomats from other Latin American countries, who mingled with the crowds enjoying the show.
Exhibition coordinator Dodie Weppler-Grogan urged people to get involved in the campaign for justice for the Miami Five.
Rob Miller, Cuba Solidarity Campaign Director, thanked everyone who had worked so hard to make the exhibition happen and praised the “proud and valiant people of Cuba who have stood as one with the Five heroes and their families in this titanic struggle for freedom and justice”
The exhibition is open from 10am-5pm Monday - Saturday this week before transferring to Glasgow 7-13 May.
There are special reception events Monday-Thursday which are open to Trade Unionists and friends of Cuba. Please contact the CSC office for details 0208 800 0155
- View photographs from the opening night here
- Read the Guardian preview of Beyond the Frame
- Families arrive in Britain for Beyond the Frame
