My name is Elsa Mora. I’m a Cuban-born artist and artistic director-curator of ArtYard. I’m based in New York and travel often to NJ for work.
FULL STORY:
I’m the fifth child out of eight children. We all share the same father but came from three different mothers. All of us were born and raised in Holguín, a province on the East side of Cuba. My birthday used to be on May 8th (1971), until I discovered that it was the wrong date. It turned out that I was actually born the day after, on May 9th. What happened was that my Mom preferred May 8th because it was Mother’s Day on that year.
But at the age of 16, the lady at the office where I
That incident did something interesting to my brain. It made me realize that I could be whoever I wanted to be.
Growing up poor taught me a series of important lessons that I will always treasure. I learned that the most precious possession that you have
My education took place in the Cuban public school system. I started walking to school by myself in the 4th grade. It was a long walk in an area full of delinquent and alcoholic people that hung out in the morning.
I saw these people deteriorate to the point where they looked like ghosts. Watching them taught me lots of things that I didn’t learn in school, like the slow and devastating effect of losing control of your life.
My life back then was also full of fascinating people. I remember with affection so many characters from my old neighborhood. Just to name a few:
I left my home at age 16 in order to start a life on my own.
My boyfriend and I around 1987.
My first job was as an Art Teacher for two years. I was only 19 and my students were from 12 to 13 years old. It was a great experience but I decided to leave the job in order to focus on my own art. I kept the connection with most of my students, and they became good friends.
After this, I worked part-time at an art gallery because of the salary. But what I really wanted was a radical change. That’s when I decided to become a full-time Artist. The transition was hard.
The next big move happened in 1995 when I relocated to Havana with the help of my beloved friend Debra. I lived with her for a year. Thank you forever, sister. Debra died of cancer in 2011 but she’s forever in my heart. In Havana, I married a Psychologist who later became my agent. He did nice things for me but the marriage just didn’t work so we got divorced. Nobody’s fault, that’s OK. Special thanks to him too.
During those years my art developed as never before. Several art collectors, art galleries, museums etc. from around the world came to the island fascinated with what was going on in the Cuban art world. I worked on my art day and night. I had
↑Photo taken by a Cuban friend in my studio. Havana, 1999
↑ The year 2000, at La Esmeralda in Mexico, during my UNESCO-Ashberg artist residency.
Bill and I in our very first picture together. Havana, 2000
Some of the most amazing surprises that we ever received were our two children Natalie and Diego. They are both unique. Natalie is the most creative person I know. Diego is the most original (he was diagnosed with Autism at age 2). My stepson Miro, who is currently attending college, is one of the most sensitive souls that I ever met.
Natalie and Diego, 2010
My husband Bill is a Film Producer from Chicago, with a solid career in Hollywood. He’s smart, gentle, modest, very family oriented, creative, plus he possesses the most incredible memory ever. He’s like a walking encyclopedia. With him, I have learned tons of things, not only about film, music, literature, politics… but also about the simple things that really matter in life. We get along very well and spend most of the time making jokes and having fun with our kids. We also have wonderful friends with whom we get together as often as we can.
The rest of my story is happening as I write this… Every day is a new adventure
All my best to you,
Elsita
PS. Written in 2008 in Los Angeles, CA.
Congratulations on using your imagination so well and working so hard and having such a warm family! Wonderful news that your beautiful card Holiday Lantern is in MoMA’s 2014 holiday line–I love it.
I have never read such an interesting bio. Brava to you for persevering through difficult circumstances, again and again. I wish you very well and look forward to seeing more of your work over the years. You deserve every ounce of your success!
Warm regards,
Jann
Thanks a lot, Jann, for your kind words. Wishing you much health and creative energy!
Elsa
Elsa Mora recently posted…Deep Cuts: Contemporary Paper Cutting
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