The Washington Post, August 21, 2017
Artist ‘Yulier P’ detained in Cuba, told to erase murals
FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2017 file photo, graffiti artist Yulier Rodriguez Perez, artistically known as Yulier P., poses next to one of his works, painted on a wall in Old Havana, Cuba. The Cuban street artist said on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, that he was detained by police last week and told to erase the 200 or so murals he has painted throughout the country. But the 27-year-old says he has no plans to erase his works. (Ramon Espinosa, File/Associated Press)
By Associated Press August 21 at 4:46 PM
HAVANA — A Cuban street artist says he was detained by police and told to erase the 200 or so murals he has painted throughout the country.
Artist Yulier Rodriguez Perez tells The Associated Press that authorities insisted he will be charged with damaging property if he does not remove whimsical images that have attracted widespread attention.
Rodriguez began painting abstract paintings on decrepit buildings and walls about three years ago. They stood out in a place where graffiti is rare and nearly all posters and murals feature political slogans or revolutionary figures. Authorities seemed to tolerate the works that he signed “Yulier P.”
But the 27-year-old said Monday that he was detained for two days last week. He says he has no plans to erase his works.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.