A global artist of the twentieth century, Wifredo Lam fused elements from established concurrent artistic movements with Caribbean, African and Oceanic themes to create a style that was discernibly unique. Born on December 8, 1902 in Sagua la Grande, Cuba, to a Chinese father and Spanish/Congelese mother, Lam felt a deep connection with Caribbean culture and Afro-Cuban spiritual practices that were introduced to him by his godmother, Matonica Wilson, who was a Santería priestess. The latter would prove to be the most definitive and largest artistic influence.
