Yaniel Agrafojo Sánchez was born on December 17,1984 in Guanabacoa, Havana. As a child he had a remarkable photographic memory, reproducing images of locomotives and trains in minute detail. As adept as sophisticated as his eye was, he was introverted and developed social skills slowly.
In his teens the focus of his drawings were the faces of famous singers. He developed his own technique of chiaroscuro shading. He experimented with colored pencils. His adolescent years were troubled accentuated by being the target of bullies in his school. He found refuge with his family and further retreated into drawing.
Sánchez was finally diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Drawing allowed hit to channel his concerns and frustrations until, with help and specialized counseling, he overcame most of his social difficulties. The drawings we are bring to the fair are based on old Trinidad y Hermanos Cigar postcards, cigar brand no longer made since the 1962 Cuban revolution. The postcards are also rare.
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