Process

foundation

“Arte povera” is a contemporary art movement beginning in 1960s. this movement was a revolution against the structure of the system of art. “Arte povera,” poor art, inspired The foundation of my creative process: “re-use and recycle.” For example, using found materials can give character to the artwork. Art should be free and without limits. I enjoy using disregarded materials. Many people believe art must be created with specific materials that are in mint condition. I believe art can be created with anything. 

organic Materials

when hurricane Maria hit Puerto rico in September of 2017, the island was faced with devastation. the agriculture was destroyed in many parts of the island. specifically, the bamboo trees had fallen over onto electrical lines and had caught fire. I decided to collect the fallen bamboo and created a large scale sculpture, “el espíritu del flamboyan.” creating a guardian like figure, in the color of the iconic flamboyant that represent Puerto rico. not only did this repurpose the damaged bamboo, but also used to create a new life.

Recycled material

the creation of the traditional “vejigante” mask uses recycled news paper in the method of paper-mâché. I have continued this ideology with my own work through the use of recycled cardboard and various materials. for example, the “Corona” mask was created entirely from cardboard and packaging from the beer company: corona. this not only gives it a interesting texture and color but as well is sustainable.

CONCEPTS

Identity is a constant theme within my work. The sculptures are theatrical and intend to break the fourth wall. The focus of my work is on the creation of masks, and/or wearable art, and performance art. The masks are bright, colorful tools to express a sensation, an emotion, or an event in life. The sculptures are theatrical and intend to break the fourth wall of reality. The masks are created solely for the performance, and often do not exist outside the video.

The colorful characters are a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the aspects of everyday Puerto Rican life. These motifs explore identity, interpret routine life, and/or whimsical creatures. This expression creates a space in which is relatable but also unfamiliar to the spectator. Moreover, these concepts, in a playful context, enable the audience to range in age, from child to adult, creating a space of inclusion and unity. The scope in age changes the perception and understanding of each individual work for each person. My artworks create a capacity to interpret the contextual meaning as an individual experience.