Meet The Man Who Turned A Small Town Into A Work Of Art

Meet the artist who transformed a neighborhood

A riot of vibrant colors, quirky mosaics and surrealist sculptures, what may at first glance resemble a children's theme park is, in fact, a vibrant town in Cuba. Inspired by the unique designs of Spanish architect Gaudí, artist José Fuster's unusual approach to home design proved infectious with his community on the outskirts of Havana and helped transform an impoverished neighborhood into a creative haven.

Click or scroll on to step inside the colorful world of Fusterlandia...

The founder of Fusterlandia

The genius behind this kaleidoscopic project, artist José Fuster spent time in Europe working on his art before deciding to take his creative ambitions back to his homeland of Cuba.

In 1975 he moved to Havana and purchased an unassuming wood house in the fishing town of Jaimanitas. Little did his neighbors know the daring plans he had for the property...

A typical Cuban home

Situated in what was at the time a run-down and deprived area, the small wooden home that José snapped up was most likely modest and compact – the furthest thing from an artistic extravaganza. However, he had big ambitions for his simple suburban house.

A mosaic makeover

An artist who specialized in ceramics, graphic design and engraving, José began the creative transformation by decorating the walls with intricate mosaics in bright, vibrant shades. Even in these early stages of design, the house was beginning to differentiate itself from others in the neighborhood.

Building a dreamscape

Fuster’s mosaic creations grew over time, inspired by Caribbean Cuban aesthetics and naïve art, which draws on childlike shapes and bright primary colors. He branched out to create larger sculptural pieces while his neighbors no doubt watched on in wonder.

An artistic playground

With the artistic project expanding beyond the house to include a park, José added larger statues and incorporated colorful Cuban iconography.

Elaborate displays like this one helped earn José the nickname of the Picasso of the Caribbean, but the famous Cubist artist wasn’t Fuster’s main influence.

Inspired by Gaudí

In case there was any doubt as to who the main source of inspiration was, there is a dedication to famed surrealist architect Antonio Gaudí at the entrance. With its colorful mosaic designs and organic sculptures, Fusterlandia has more than a touch of Barcelona's Park Güell about it. 

A creative neighborhood

In many towns, this type of unorthodox architecture would have a community up in arms, but not here. Fuster offered to decorate his neighbors' homes and businesses too and soon his designs took over the town. This is the doctor’s surgery – definitely the coolest medical center we've seen!

All hands on deck

Buoyed on by his neighbors’ support, it seems Fuster’s vision had no boundaries. Elements of local folk history combine with tropical motifs such as palm trees, covering almost every surface in the neighborhood.

It’s not just José at work either – sometimes the neighbors themselves get creative, with the project inspiring a whole new generation of artists.

An artistic playground

While the mosaic wonderland has encompassed almost all of the town, the centerpiece of Fusterlandia undoubtedly remains the artist's studio and home, Taller-Estudio José Fuster. With visitors free to wander around, some are even lucky enough to see José at work.

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Patriotic touches

While Fusterlandia's whimsical designs are surreal, they're also very much rooted in their location – look out for Cuban mantras adorning the walls, along with murals of famous revolutionaries and flags.

A neighborhood transformed

Fuster's artwork has been embraced by the whole town and what was once just a quirky house has become an artistic community. Over the course of a decade, mosaics have appeared across bus stops, benches, gateways and fountains, not to mention countless shopfronts and over 80 residential homes.

No end in sight

Aside from being a super cool neighborhood brimming with creativity, Fusterlandia is a vast community art installation that's constantly growing. Having enjoyed a successful career, José uses proceeds from his art to fund the ongoing project, allowing him to continue his mission to enrich the local landscape.

A cultural landmark

While it may look unlike any other town in the world, Fusterlandia's unique style reflects the artistic vibrancy of Cuban culture, joining the country's other colorful icons, such as its famously bright classic cars.

Community first

As well as being a feast for the eyes, Fuster’s neighborhood incorporates a whole host of colorful social spaces including terraces, parks and benches that help to foster a strong sense of community.

This fabulous yellow building features a mural of a boat traversing the waves, carrying a menagerie of animals with it.

Rejuvenating a town

Not only does Fuster help fund the work on his neighbors’ homes, but he has also built public swimming pools and other community facilities that improve the lives of residents in this low-income area. The tourism generated by the remarkable works of art is reinvested in the neighborhood.

Whimsical world

The childlike imagery and larger-than-life designs can't help but spark wonder in residents and visitors alike. Fusterlandia is a playground for the imagination – here the everyday landscape of life collides with a fantastical and enchanting world.

Elevating the ordinary

Once a rather austere gateway, José has transformed this simple streetscape into a pastoral paradise. Multicolored mosaics create an undulating, tropical landscape complete with palm trees, animals and a shining sun.

Colorful community

For homes in Fusterlandia, colorful patterned façades are the norm. This bold exterior pairs lime green with blood red and warm orange for a look that perfectly channels the carnival spirit. If you look closely, you can just make out a goat and two brightly-adorned figures.

A creative tapestry

Made up of shards of ceramics, there's a whole host of images hidden in the mosaics, from mermaids and palm trees to saints, as well as quotations from some of Fuster’s favorite writers: Alejo Carpentier, Onelio Jorge Cardoso and Ernest Hemingway.

Accessible art

While the town remains a residential hub, Fusterlandia has morphed into something of a living art gallery. In contrast to many museums and landmarks around the world, the community is free for anyone to visit – a sort of Disneyland for bohemians if you like. 

Social celebration

While Fuster has had to fend off accusations that the town is an exercise in self-glorification, he remains unfazed. He told local website Havana Cultura: “This project is not only about my house. It’s about my neighbors’ houses. My neighbors are great people.” The artists’ wall here is just one place where other creatives are celebrated.

A creative commune

Today, Fusterlandia is a haven for artists, as well as being a popular stop-off for tourists and Instagrammers who come from all over the world to marvel at the colorful displays. Most importantly though, it's still home to a tight-knit residential community.

Reawakening a community

A mishmash of design influences, Fusterlandia is a thrilling example of how architecture can revitalize communities and breathe new life into struggling towns. What was once a forgotten and downtrodden part of Cuba is now a vibrant mecca for the arts.

When can we move in?

In comparison, our homes suddenly feel rather sensible and boring. Do you think our neighbors would mind if we followed suit? Failing that, we may just have to move in ourselves!

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