Puerto Rico & The United States: The Diaspora, Identity, and Resilience Explored Through Art
The relationship with America and Puerto Rico has always been a contentious one. Ongoing colonization and power struggles have left Puerto Rico as neither a U.S. state or a sovereign nation, but as property of the United States.Â
The culmination of hundreds of years of colonization has resulted in a major identity crisis amongst Puerto Ricans.
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the Puerto Ricans in New York and Puerto Rico, have responded to this through art. By way of painting, installations, music, and prose - Puerto Rican artists have expressed their struggles with identity and belonging, as well as showcasing their immense pride in their roots, their heritage, culture, and language.Â
There is resilience and community within these works. Calls to action. And we have responded. Through creation and collaboration, we bring light to the darkness and power back to the people.Â