I am a Cuban-born visual artist and musician based in Boston, MA. Although trained in traditional techniques of working from observation, my work has evolved to reflect my studies in graphic design, architectural rendering, geometric abstraction, and music.
Much of my work reflects my experiences as a Cuban-American in idiosyncratic ways. That experience is defined by two recurring and primary motivations: an early and deep fascination with American popular visual culture and an insistence on forging new realities; and an enduring search for a space that I can call home.
My Iconographies series makes use of imagery that is borrowed from popular and material culture combined in ways that expresses age-old narratives of survival and redemption. For example, the use of flames is borrowed directly from hot rod culture but alludes to the notion of transformation and rebirth.
The Archiometries series is a summation of my training in architectural rendering, graphic design, and music, as well as my deep interest in geometric abstraction. Each of these disciplines comprises a type of universal language system. This is of particular interest to me as someone who struggled early on with adopting the English language and who overcame those obstacle through my ability to draw.
The Archiometries series conveys not just my love of architecture, but my desire for an idealized sense of place and belonging. It also reflects my earliest memories of working within a discipline rooted in abstract symbols and linearity to convey ideas universally. My father taught me architectural rendering as part of the family business. I recall that as I worked alongside him, I was fascinated not only by the visual language and symbols used in the layouts, but also by the various tools and stencils that we used, some of which I still have and use in my studio to this day.
In addition to my work as a visual artist, I am a long-time educator. Examples of my early representational work as well as student work can be found here. I am also a jazz drummer, percussionist, and educator performing throughout the Boston area with various groups including my trio Detour Ahead. Samples of my music can be heard on SoundCloud and ReverbNation.