Bold art 'brings happiness'

GRAFFITI: PAINTINGS ENCOURAGE SELF-REFLECTION IN A COUNTRY MIRED IN CENSORSHIP

Graffiti on walls around Havana telling Cubans "you need to be happy" has encouraged introspection and inspiration in a country where censorship has forced many street artists to emigrate or abandon their work.

The simple, but striking, message that began appearing more than a year ago is the creation of "Mr Sad", a 27-year-old sociologist who, under the cover of anonymity, pushes the limits of rebellion on the communist-run island.

"My intention is just to create a mirror so that people have the opportunity to take a moment to see what's inside them," he said.

The artist was inspired by the tradition of visual propaganda that Cuba cultivated in the decades since the revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959.

Revolutionary slogans that have adorned public space on the island of 10 million inhabitants for years, such as "Homeland or death, we will win," have gradually lost their connection with the Cuban identity, Mr Sad said.