Visiting artist and printmaker Eduardo “Choco” Roca Salazar, has gained international fame for his work. And he even has some famous fans who have sponsored his art.
Choco said that he personally knows both Fidel Castro and his brother, Cuban President Raúl Castro.
Keeping up with the Castros
“People will stop me and ask, ‘Oh, do you know Fidel and Raúl Castro?’ and I say, ‘No, the Castros know me,’” he said.
Choco said he met Raúl in 1984 at an exhibition he was part of, and has been regularly invited to government and family functions ever since. He said he met Fidel personally in 1995.
“He is a strong personality, and he talks a lot,” he said.
“He’s a very proud person. I learned he was an intelligent man.”
Choco added that he’s part of a small group of Cuban artists who know Fidel on an intimate level, and that they’ve developed a great relationship.
“After he got sick, we didn’t talk,” Choco said in a pensive tone.
“But I just got a phone call from him a few months ago out of the blue.”
His translator said that based on the way Choco spoke about Castro, he really cherishes their relationship.
How the artist chills
To keep himself interested and engaged while working, Choco said he listens mostly to jazz musicians like Ray Charles and Wynton Marsalis, as well as music by Brazilian and Cuban artists.
“Good jazz is good jazz,” he said. “It’s a huge part of my culture.”
“The other thing I need is a little glass of whiskey with ice and soda,” he added.
When asked what particular kinds of whiskey and soda he prefers, he said with a grin, “There are some things you just can’t say.”
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