The exhibition delves into the complex relationship between art produced in Cuba and that developed in exile. Following the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, many artists emigrated due to ideological restrictions and the state's instrumentalization of art. These creators faced significant challenges in their new environments but managed to maintain their artistic identity and produce high-quality works.

MoCAA, based in Miami, has focused much of its curatorial work on bringing visibility to these productions. Through the Rodríguez Collection, it has gathered nearly a thousand works by more than 150 Cuban artists living abroad. This collection helps construct an alternative narrative to the official version promoted in Cuba, which often ignores or marginalizes the work of those who chose to leave the island.

Importantly, the museum does not exclude artists who remain in Cuba. In a gesture of openness and inclusivity, MoCAA has also showcased artists living on the island, recognizing that not all of them support the official discourse. This comprehensive perspective allows for a richer and more nuanced understanding of contemporary Cuban art, which is far from being homogeneous.

Juxtaposing both currents enables an analysis of how artists respond to different political contexts: in Cuba, under ideological limits; in the diaspora, within a supposed freedom that also brings constraints, often of a commercial or institutional nature. This tension, rather than being a weakness, becomes a wellspring of creative energy.

MoCAA advocates for curatorship that transcends geographical and ideological boundaries. Its mission is to shape a more accurate, diverse, and inclusive history of Cuban art—one where all voices are heard. The museum has thus become a space for memory, critical reflection, and dialogue with both the past and present of Cuban artistic expression.

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