Vuelo de Orgullo (Flight of Pride), 2023

In 2017 Hurricane Maria came down upon the island of Puerto Rico. In the wake of this historic storm, the island paradise of my cultural heritage, my people, and home to my family, suffered utter devastation. From a prison cell I bore witness and cried. The Trump administration dismissed the severity of the destruction, intentionally disregarded the actual death toll of more than 3,000 Puerto Ricans, then tossed paper towels as if it were manna from heaven. Rich Americans then came, bought up land, built gated communities, and laughed.

I painted the sky in bold red, white, and blue strokes to represent the volcanic acclaim of Americanism to the world. The “skullishness” of Lady Liberty’s face uncovers how the American government and corporations exploit the island and its people. American interests want Puerto Rico, but not Puerto Ricans. Tito Kayak, and others, still stand strong against these injustices. Letting the world know, “I AM(E)RICAN!”