2023 Artist Statement
My work takes inspiration from my Puerto Rican culture and memories that hold significance. These pieces are created to connect me and the audience by making the work socially engaged and finding ways to express my culture while educating about it. In Through Cita’s Eyes, I used digital painting and video to create a guided experience through the perspective of my Abuela and me. I created a bite-sized comic book for History of Boriken(Abridged) to represent my cultural history while creating a pleasing learning environment.
My project, Through Cita’s Eyes, tells the story of my Abuelita(grandmother) and I. Part of the piece reflects her struggles growing up in Puerto Rico and what she felt was valuable in life. Felicita Rivera Quinones was the oldest of five siblings at that time, she would sew clothes for her family to sell, and that was the plan for her after third grade. It wasn’t until a teacher saw her potential and advocated for her that she was given permission to continue her education. Education was a privilege, and Cita worked hard and fell in love with language, both in Spanish and Shorthand. She became a secretary, where she met her husband of 58 years. She had two girls and passed on her love of faith and work ethic. My Abuela is a pillar of strength to me and a symbol of strong cultural ties.
For my part, I speak more about my feelings of being part of the Puerto Rican diaspora. Feeling like a shifting figure between Chicago and Puerto Rico. In my youth, I didn’t appreciate my culture as much and dove more into my studies, trying to assimilate into American culture. It was not until Hurricane Maria that I realized the true value of my culture as I stood to lose it. This was also the same year my Abuela started getting really sick and passed a year later. Through art, I could work through this shift in my view of my identity and my loss of a part of myself. Musicals and plays were my way of exploring and taking pride in my culture. My section doesn’t have a conclusion but a continuation because I am still working through my identity, but I’m doing it with the help of family here and in Puerto Rico.
Through History of Boriken(Abridged), I want to teach about Puerto Rico’s history and status in a way that is fun and engaging. Characters created from animals native to the island narrate the story and creates a space to talk about the island.
Through Cita’s Eyes
The History of Boriken(Abridged)
Work cited
“History.” Discover Puerto Rico, www.discoverpuertorico.com/island/history#!grid~~~random~1.
