Imagine fleeing your homeland and leaving your friends, siblings, parents and grandparents behind not knowing if you'll ever see them again? This was a very difficult decision to make but the best outcome possible for her two young children. Coralia, my guest, Edel Rodriguez's mother and father found themselves struggling with this scenario in 1980. It was a time when Cuba was struggling economically and Castro was allowing a massive emigration to the US from the island during the Mariel Boatlift. Edel Rodrigues is an artist, illustrator, graphic designer and author of a 2023 graphic memoir, "Worm." It tells the story of a mother and father's love for their children with hopes of them having a better future. Edel and his family were originally from the small town of El Gabriel, not too far outside of Havana. Edel's work is influenced by his childhood in Cuba as well as his experiences growing up in Florida as an immigrant.
I've attached many of the links below that will take you to Edel's artwork and designs. He's highly regarded and is recognized nationally and internationally for his works. His childhood and childhood memories lends itself to his creations today. He has gone back to Cuba a number of times to see his remaining family members and truly understands all that his parents gave up for he and his older sister in order for them to have a more fulfilling life.
Edel is passionate not only about his art but about his family and to hear him share these stories of his mother and the other women in his life including his aunt, Caridad, who arranged for the fishing boat upon which they fled Cuba, his aunt Nancy, grandmother a number of female art teachers, including Mary Nichols, just to name a few, is very touching. They were all very supportive of his interest in art and drawing from a very young age.
June 2024, Edel's most recent children's book "The Mango Tree" was published.
This is truly a remarkable story. Hope you enjoy it.
EDEL ROGRIGUEZ
Twitter:@edelstudio
Facebook:Facebook.com/studioedel, https://www.facebook.com/studioedel
www.edelrodriguez.com
www.edelr.com
GRAPHIC NOVEL “WORM CUBAN AMERICAN NOVEL”
PARENTS ESCAPE FROM CUBA MARIEL BOAT LAUNCH
WEBSITE: https://edelr.com/