Artist: Reinaldo Arenas
Confronting Bodies: Cuban government
Date of Action: 1967 to present
Specific Location: Cuba
Description of Artwork: Arenas' books are known for their blasphemy, abuse, political contempt and denounciation of the Cuban government. He has been celebrated for continuing the tradition of baroque and densely constructed novels that join Cuban and universal issues through artistic treatment of popular culture and imagination.
Description of Incident: Even though his first novel, "Singing from the Well (1967)," was celebrated internationally, Arenas was persecuted when Cuban officials denounced and attacked homosexual writers. All of his works following "Singing from the Well" were banned from publication in Cuba. Arenas was imprisoned and banished from Cuba in 1980.
Results of Incident: Arenas' novels have been published throughout the world and have won numerous literary awards. He is one of the most notable Cuban writers. Arenas died of AIDS in 1987.
Source: Censorship, A World Encyclopedia, ed. D. Jones
Submitted By: NCAC