Thirteen-year-old Kevin Cape Guerra from Cuba won the first prize at the 14th International Contest for Young Artists that took place in Russia this year to mark the 65th anniversary of the former Soviet Union’s victory over fascism during the Great Patriotic War (1941- 1945).
In an interview with Juventud Rebelde, the young artist talks about how he entered the contest. “I participated in a children’s drawing contest in last year’s International Book Fair dedicated to Russia, and won first place. Shortly afterwards, the event’s sponsors suggested that I participate in a creative contest for young artists based in Russia on the theme of fascism.”
Having studied and researched into the topic, Kevin finally chose to portray in his work the revival of life in a place of death: Auschwitz —the largest of the German concentration camps where Nazis exterminated millions during the Second World War.
“A lot of people died in that place, so I figured in my drawing I wanted to convey the opposite of death: life, peace and harmony,” Kevin says.
According to Kevin’s grandmother Libertad Mercedes Moreno, the painting was taken to Russia by representatives of the Children’s Arts Gallery Pájaro de Fuego attending that year’s Havana Book Fair.
Months after, director Alevtina Sharova announced in a letter that Kevin’s painting had been successfully exhibited at several places across Russia, including the Sibernaya Bashnia Business Center and at the 14th World Russian People’s Council. The final decision came in August.
“When I first heard the news that I had won the contest, I was thrilled,” says Kevin, an admirer of the work of Wifredo Lam, Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso.
Cuban Ambassador to Russia Juan Valdés Figueroa received the award on behalf of Kevin on Sunday at the 23rd International Book Fair currently taking place in Moscow.
Kevin, who was recently accepted into Havana’s San Alejandro National Academy of Arts, says he is extremely happy with his accomplishment, and that his real dream is one day becoming an architect.
http://www.juventudrebelde.co.cu/
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