In our journey through the life and work of people who have carried out a large part of their work in Camagüey and with links with the Historian’s Office, we get closer to the artist Joel Jover.

With multiple exhibitions, book publications and awards inside and outside the Island, Jover is recognized as one of the great exponents of the plastic arts both in our province and in the country. Such distinctions have not made his work cut ties with this region of shepherds and hats, which in his youth opened the doors to him.

On many occasions Joel has collaborated with the Historian’s Office of Camagüey city. Perhaps his most significant work, the result of the link with this institution, is the mural of the Legends Park, located practically at the entrance of the area declared by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

“It occurs to me that it would be interesting to have a park with the legends of our Camagüey, because practically no one knows that and it would also be a didactic thing, the children could go there and learn. I did not want to make a ceramic mural, because it is what is usually done in our city. My idea was to make something that would last over time, so I decided to work with concrete and rebar, although I had never worked with that material before.

“I made pieces of 50cm by 50cm that were shaping the figures of the legends. That was when the problem of coloring arose, I wanted it to be in black and gray as is characteristic of my work and I did not want to paint the figures once they were made; the solution was to use the different colors of the cement, to use white, gray and black-stained cement ”, he tells me, recalling that creation process.

The Legends Park became a must-see for those seeking to learn more about the cultural history of the city, and was the beginning of the working relationship between the artist and the Historian’s Office.

“I do not only collaborated in the Legends Park, that was the first thing I did, but I have the satisfaction of having been the second to have an exhibition at the Fidelio Ponce de León gallery, there at the Office headquarters, for the 500th anniversary of the city in the same way, the exhibition that was placed was mine and I thank the Office and its director, Joseito, for that, because those things show you that they take you into account.”

Perhaps, one of the greatest satisfactions of this artist from Nuevitas is that his art can be enjoyed by many, that it can be enjoyed in the most prestigious galleries, but also in public spaces.

“I thank the Office for everything we have done, and for what we are going to do because of course this is not the end.”

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García