Cuban painter Miguel Ordoqui died this Saturday at the age of 84 in the city of Miami, where he has lived since the 1980s. As confirmed by close friends of the artist on social networks, Ordoqui died at dawn after being in a delicate condition was in good health for days, although they did not specify the causes of his death.
Ordoqui studied at the San Alejandro National Academy of Fine Arts in Havana and went into exile in the United States in 1980 during the Mariel Boat Lift. In Miami he joined the group of artists participating in the Ten out of Cuba exhibition. one of the most emblematic exhibitions on the artists of Mariel”, as described by the writer and journalist Luis de la Paz.
Ordoqui, De la Paz recalls, “is part of the long list of Cuban artists who have been censored on the island because of their political position. For this reason, her struggle to carve out a place in the world of fine arts is all the more meritorious.”
“Ordoqui was one of those people around whom culture, our culture, develops”
For his part, Miami-based artist Armando Tejuca said Ordoqui was “a great person and an unconditional friend” and was available to anyone who “wanted to know” more about his generation.
“Ordoqui was one of those people around whom culture, our culture, develops. I’ve always believed in culture around people, without ministries and institutions. When everyone complained about not having cultural institutions, Ordoqui was there to charm those who wanted to get closer to art. I will always remember your advice. We will come back,” added Tejuca.
Ordoqui has exhibited in Belgium, Spain, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina and Puerto Rico, among others. In 2005 he received the Lorenzo the Magnificent Medal at the Florence Biennale for Contemporary Art in recognition of his artistic career.
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