Cuba’s tragic and mysterious printmaker

GlobalPost
Updated on
The World

HAVANA, Cuba — At 32 years old, Belkis Ayon was already one of Cuba's most famous artists.

Her dark, haunting prints drew on Afro-Cuban religious beliefs and in particular an all-male secret society called abakua. The Museum of Modern Art had purchased one of her works.

But then, on Sept. 11, 1999, she committed suicide. Her friends and family still don't know why.

Now a major retrospective exhibit has opened in Havana's San Francisco de Asis cathedral.

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