FROM KATE

William Pate from Detroit is visiting US on Cape Cod.  He is my brother, a sculptor and painter who was Joel Shapiro's studio assistant in the 70's. Our uncle Maurice Pate, who was the founder of UNICEF, had a home here and we visited many times in the summer. Maurice's  work in the world influenced my whole family. He was nominated along with U Thant for the Nobel Peace Prize for creating UNICEF. 

My brother, 60 years old, is a Cum Laude graduate of Princeton in Fine Arts, he studied with Tony Smith and made environmental sculptures like Richard Serra and others back in the 70s.  He now has PPA, an awful form of dementia, and and no longer can drive or talk--so brilliant and so young to be in such a way.  But he is here making art with me for three weeks.  We watched the Buena Vista Social Club and I read your blog to him.  Amazing how the story of Cuba touches people in a deep way.   

We both keep thinking of what he might think of Cuba as we saw it.  We pored over the many images of people to people and spent the afternoon playing around with images that caught our attention. It is amazing how the impact of this journey lives on.  So many amazing artists, writers and activists who shared the trip with us.  It continues to impact people because it is such a compelling story.  We painted all afternoon experimenting with thoughts that came from the many photographs.  

Viva Cuba. yes? Love Kate and Steve.