My body of work combines painting and multimedia techniques in order to draw connections between Western religious iconography and Taino mythology to query the position of queerness in modern Puerto Rican culture and family. My work reignites connections of heritage and culture severed by the Spanish colonization of the island of Borikén, now known as Puerto Rico.
I use graffiti stencil techniques and spray paint to evoke the visual depth of Taino petroglyphs as well as connect with the modern day graffiti and wall art of Cleveland’s Villa Hispaña, the neighborhood I grew up in. Acrylic or latex paint enables me to work dynamically and create textural history in my multi-layered and allegorical works. Acrylic markers allow a precise typographical control that I find balances the organic shapes of my work. Multimedia materials enable me to incorporate both religious iconography and craft language.
In 2021, I took a month-long research trip to Puerto Rico to study the archeological record of the petroglyphs, or rock carving art of the Taino, the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. Thereby establishing my first lexicon of symbols. I am inspired by the metaphorical works of Marta Pérez whose art is both celebratory and judgemental, referencing social issues in joyful paintings. Contemporary artist Christian Hernán De Restrepo, while working mainly in textiles and metals is also creating work in line with my own goals of imagining a world where Pre-Hispanic cultures were allowed to continue without the interruption of erasure and extraction. I also am deeply inspired by the political poster art of Puerto Rico from the 1930s to present, which pair high saturation colors with strong political messages.
I use graffiti stencil techniques and spray paint to evoke the visual depth of Taino petroglyphs as well as connect with the modern day graffiti and wall art of Cleveland’s Villa Hispaña, the neighborhood I grew up in. Acrylic or latex paint enables me to work dynamically and create textural history in my multi-layered and allegorical works. Acrylic markers allow a precise typographical control that I find balances the organic shapes of my work. Multimedia materials enable me to incorporate both religious iconography and craft language.
In 2021, I took a month-long research trip to Puerto Rico to study the archeological record of the petroglyphs, or rock carving art of the Taino, the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. Thereby establishing my first lexicon of symbols. I am inspired by the metaphorical works of Marta Pérez whose art is both celebratory and judgemental, referencing social issues in joyful paintings. Contemporary artist Christian Hernán De Restrepo, while working mainly in textiles and metals is also creating work in line with my own goals of imagining a world where Pre-Hispanic cultures were allowed to continue without the interruption of erasure and extraction. I also am deeply inspired by the political poster art of Puerto Rico from the 1930s to present, which pair high saturation colors with strong political messages.