The works in my political gallery aim to celebrate
and in some cases reveal an often hidden history/ legacy of oppressed
people battling to resist a system of exploitation. I look at
the cases of oppressed people everywhere. My main drive for this
work however comes from my experience as a Puerto Rican born in
Brooklyn, in the belly of the empire that has controlled every
aspect of my people’s nation for more than a century. My
political works are mainly a response to, a part of and a demand
for the liberation of Puerto Rico. With that said, viewer discretion
is advised. If the terms “empire, subversive, freedom fighter,
colonialism and imperialism” scare you, leave now and come
back when you feel more brave. If they scare you but you’re
curious anyway, be my guest, you’re greatly welcome.
My main goal with this work is to bring to light issues that are
not often spoken of because people have been taught that questioning
the status quo is a crime. In a world that values freedom of speech,
I exercise my right to it, my natural (not government given) right
to it and do so unapologetically, armed with the legacies of spirits
who came before me including but not limited to:
Filiberto Ojeda Rios, Jose “Ogundameji” “Pepito”
Arguelles, James Brown, Ray Barretto, Richie Perez, Pedro Pietri,
Gloria Anzaldua, Cesar Chavez, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Phoolan
Devi, Malcolm X, Pedro Albizu Campos, Ernesto “Che”
Guevara, Frantz Fanon, Julia de Burgos, Oscar Collazo, Andres
Figueroa Cordero, Luisa Capetillo, Eugenio Maria de Hostos, Jose
Marti, Lola Rodríguez de Tio, Mariana Bracetti, Ramon Emeterio
Betances.....
>gallery
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