Adriana Cisneros Pays Tribute to Latin American Art at MoMA

Businesswoman and philanthropist Adriana Cisneros continues to solidify the family legacy that links the Cisneros family to Latin American art. Her most recent public appearance at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA) was more than just a cultural event: it represented a tribute to her father, Gustavo Cisneros, and his tireless mission to promote the artistic richness of Latin America throughout the world.

The occasion was special. MoMA inaugurated the exhibition “Wifredo Lam: When I Don’t Sleep, I Dream,” the first major retrospective in the United States dedicated to the Cuban painter in more than four decades. The exhibition features the work “Grande Composition” (1949), recently acquired by the museum in memory of Gustavo Cisneros, as a tribute to his vision of art as a bridge between cultures.

“This exhibition is a celebration of Latin American creativity and its global impact,” said Adriana Cisneros during the opening, accompanied by her mother, Patricia Phelps de Cisneros, one of the leading collectors and promoters of Latin American art internationally.

The Power of Art as a Family Legacy

The Cisneros family’s presence on the global cultural scene is not new. Through the Patricia Phelps de Cisneros Collection (CPPC), the family has championed Latin American art for decades, with a special emphasis on modern and contemporary art. The addition of “Grande Composition” to MoMA represents a new stage in this commitment.

The painting, created in 1949 by Wifredo Lam, combines oil and charcoal on paper mounted on canvas and is considered one of the most significant pieces of his career. Its inclusion in MoMA's permanent collection not only expands the presence of Latin American art in one of the world's most prestigious museums, but also reaffirms the importance of cultural dialogue between Latin America and the United States, a cause that Gustavo Cisneros tirelessly championed.

For Adriana, current CEO of the Cisneros Group, art transcends aesthetics: it is a tool for connecting, educating, and transforming. Her leadership of the family business has maintained this philosophy, combining business innovation with a deep cultural and social commitment.

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“Wifredo Lam: When I Don’t Sleep, I Dream”: a renewed look at global modernism

The exhibition, open to the public from November 10, 2025, to April 11, 2026, brings together more than 130 works from international collections, including the Cisneros collection. Curated by Christophe Cherix, director of MoMA, the exhibition offers a reinterpretation of Lam's legacy, exploring how his art challenged the Eurocentric narratives of modernism.

Lam, of Chinese, African, and Spanish descent, used his hybrid identity to construct a visual language that combined surrealism with Afro-Cuban spirituality. His work thus becomes a symbol of cultural fusion and resistance.

For Adriana Cisneros, this exhibition reflects the values her family has promoted for generations: diversity, inclusion, and the celebration of Latin American talent. “My father deeply believed in the power of art to unite people. This tribute at MoMA keeps that conviction alive,” she noted.

A Bridge Between the Past and Future of Latin American Art

With this gesture, Adriana and Patricia Phelps de Cisneros reaffirm Latin America's role on the global art map. The active participation of Latin American collectors, foundations, and entrepreneurs in institutions like MoMA demonstrates that the region's art not only belongs to its local context but also engages in dialogue on equal footing with major international movements.

As Lam's exhibition explores the dreams, symbols, and contradictions of Latin American identity, it also invites reflection on the future: what new artists will continue this legacy?

In the words of Adriana Cisneros, the true value of art lies in its capacity to inspire and connect generations. Her presence at the MoMA opening was not only a family tribute but also an affirmation of cultural leadership, where Latin American women stand as ambassadors of art, innovation, and collective memory.

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