Loló Soldevilla (1901–1971)
Loló Soldevilla, born Dolores Soldevilla Nieto, was a Cuban painter, sculptor, draftsman, and printmaker, and one of the key figures of geometric abstraction and kinetic art in Latin America. She began painting in 1948 and studied sculpture at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris. There, she immersed herself in the Parisian avant-garde, forming ties with artists like Eusebio Sempere and participating in influential exhibitions, including at Realités Nouvelles.
Returning to Cuba in the mid-1950s, Soldevilla played a pivotal role in introducing abstract trends to the island. She co-founded the Color-Luz Gallery and joined the group Diez Pintores Concretos, becoming a central figure in the Cuban abstract movement. Her work is known for its vibrant exploration of color, form, and light—often incorporating artificial illumination in her reliefs.
Beyond her artistic practice, she was a cultural promoter, educator, toy designer, journalist, and art critic. She authored literary and critical works such as Ir, venir, volver a ir and El farol.
Posthumously, Soldevilla’s legacy has continued to grow, with major retrospectives and international exhibitions, including Cuba: Art and History from 1868 to Today (Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 2008), affirming her role as a pioneer of Latin American modernism.
