When we visited Havana, Trinidad and Matanzas, it was clear that visual art played an enormous role in the day to day lives of Cubans politically, socially and culturally. Politics are significantly more integrated into the lives of many Cubans and what people produce and create reflects that, especially artistically. 

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In Cuba, the arts have consistently been used to engage with and improve the complex social systems that have been in place for decades. It has been integral in the ways artists are able to shed light on issues they hold close to their hearts, create a space of conversation, and in some ways, release harbored pain and frustration. 

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Here are some interesting and powerful pieces we saw while visiting these three cities.