Dirube, Rolando Lopez

Born in Havana; deafened at age 6 from unknown causes; studied at the University of Havana's College of Engineering and Architecture and at the Art Students League, New York City. Lived and worked briefly in New York and then Madrid, Spain, before returning to Cuba in 1952, where he became increasingly famous and influential in Cuban art. He lost his studio and works during the Communist takeover of Cuba and, after being kidnapped and tortured, was released and managed to escape to the US, where he stayed for the rest of his life, especially in Puerto Rico. Noted for his use of a range of materials, including bamboo, concrete, and wood.