Ileana Sánchez is a cat artist who paradoxically loves dogs. Her pieces do not require much formal presentation, as her work is well known both in her homeland and in various parts of the world.
The artistic accomplishment of Ileana is linked to the work of the Office of the Historian of Camagüey city; she confesses that she was one of the first that received the call from the director of this institution, José Rodríguez Barreras, to strengthen ties and through socio-cultural projects, bring art to all corners of the historic center and the city.
“The Office was a place where artists went with dreams, projects; we had our heads working in order to beautify our city and they were our producers. For example, it was very nice when I presented the project of painting 100 silhouettes of cats in Maceo Street and a great team was formed, monitored and directed by the Office of the Historian and in which many institutions participated. A wonderful show was achieved in which hundreds of children participated, “she tells me, with one of those smiles that only come out when good memories come to mind.
Their cats became an emblem in several places in our city: the well-known Andariegos bike taxis that run through the center of the city and urban transport vehicles exhibited them, even parks and alleys lost their name, and began to be popularly known as “the one with the cats”. However, one of her specific murals awakens great satisfaction in her.
“I feel immensely happy when moms come up to me and say: thanks to your cats, my child when he left the Pediatric Hospital, after being vaccinated or treated, the only place where he ate was in front of the wall. For me, the wall of the lamentations and the wall of the Pediatric exist. ”
Her art is the heritage of this city; Ileana’s works have been enjoyed in the most recognized galleries in the territory, but also in many public spaces in the city and this is due, to some extent, to her complicity with the Office of the Historian.
“Many of those exhibitions and works with them were linked to events for the city, or in line with the city, or with the heritage, and for me, as an artist, it has been a wonderful experience. I am not young anymore to continue doing them. I can no longer do projects of this type. I hope that young people can take advantage, as I did, to do a great work for my city and that they are very happy working with the Historian’s Office. ”
Now Ileana is immersed in new projects, but always with her sights set on this city to which she has given her art and to which she has left in her cats and picturesque drawings, one of her greatest creations.
Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García
