Afro Puerto Rican Art Is So Famous, But Why?

By Blogger July 28, 2021 Post a Comment

You can say that Afro Puerto Rican Art is a cultural experiment in the making. Since the beginning of the 20th century this unique group of people has been redefining their cultural norms and creating a brand of their own. The beauty of this emerging culture is its free spirit, unique blend of music and dance as well as an impressive display of the complexity of black and white art. Afro Puerto Rican art movements are constantly growing and are currently gaining strength in many areas of culture. Here is a brief description of five prominent artists.

Oscar Lopez Morea is a notable member of the “Arrocharan” clan. His work deals with the symbolism of the sun, life, and God. He is highly respected as an artist in the Puerto Rican community. Oscar Lopez Morea's most famous piece was entitled “Bienvenido el gran victim” (Beneath the Granary). This is a poignant example of his breathtaking artwork which depicts a cross-legged woman resting under a gravestone while the gravestone itself is in a state of eternal darkness.

Frida Kahlo is recognized as one of the most influential women of modern art. Her colorful, vibrant paintings have helped to define a new genre of art called “Hiladeria,” which translates into “bright color.” In her best-known work “Witches,” she vividly portrays the painful life of a witch in the Spanish language. This work has become a major influence on other artists of Latino origin.

Oscar Lopez Vazquez is another great example of Afro Puerto Rican art. This famous artist, like Kahlo, also has a large body of illustrations to his credit. “El Caucedo,” from the cover of his award-winning album, is a beautiful depiction of a woman's silhouette on a large staircase. A similar image, from the same album, can be seen in “Paseo de la Misericordia” (Shop of the Magi).

Hector Garza represents the typical mindset of most Puerto Rican youth. He was raised by his Uncle Rico and learned to appreciate the beauty of the countryside. After attending college in Connecticut, he settled in New York City. As an illustrator, he worked for Doubleday, and Atlas, but is best known for his bright images that are reminiscent of Cezanne and Georges Braque. “Pointe,” from the same collection, is another striking example of Garza's style. It shows two women dancing down a country road.

Art has a long history in the Hispanic culture, and even more so in the Afro Puerto Rican community. For centuries, this group has practiced their craft in their own homes, producing beautiful works of art that reflect their culture. When you walk into an Afro Puerto Rican home, you can almost feel the vibes of the people in the immediate area. This is due to the long tradition of musical dance that has permeated the culture for hundreds of years. Many traditional dishes are also a part of this culture.

In terms of visual culture, one finds Native American, Mayan, and other southwestern art, pottery, leather work, wood crafts, metal art, jewelry, textiles, handicrafts, and paintings. Afro Puerto Rican art is unique in that it combines elements of all these artistic areas into one. Many of their works portray animals and nature, such as elk, fish, and cattle. These natural scenes are a part of their beliefs, and in many instances, these natural elements have been incorporated into their art.

In terms of size, this movement is much smaller than the other ethnic groups in the Caribbean. Most Puerto Rican artwork is only about five inches by seven inches. This is fine for a piece of hand crafted artwork that symbolizes a dream catcher or other such item. But if you want a large scale work, such as a piece of porcelain, you will need to travel to the mainland to find this type of art. Other than this, the creation of Puerto Rican art is limited only by your imagination.