Artist Statement

Social constructs serve as laws for human behavior, guiding how to “properly” exist among the rest of the world. They confine and constrain nature. Humanity is defined by our distinct ability to reason and rationalize. Nonetheless, we are still animal.  We distinguish ourselves from animals by justifying our brutish actions with “moral highground”. Determining someone’s humanity and morality seems to be confined by what allows others to hold power over human capital. What allows one person to dictate their humanity is more correct than mine? 

I'm of Puerto Rican and Italian descent, but I don't speak the languages well. I’m a trans man, and I’m not religious. Through this lens of identity, I scrutinize how societal conventions and collective Western values are experienced culturally, individually, and in the context of conservative Christian political and social norms.

My paintings convey this through stark, saturated colors and figures. Slight abstraction and exaggeration of the human figure facilitate my exploration of the dichotomy of social constructs and human identity, exposing the emotions associated with experiences that highlight individualism. Aggressive colors are intentionally chosen to present a challenge, fighting for attention as they reflect the enduring conflict of human nature and confinement.