I create art to turn language, culture, and identity into images that question where we belong.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I create figurative oil paintings rooted in Dominican paremias, visual metaphors that translate language into image. My work blends narrative, symbolism, and cultural codes to challenge ideas of identity, class, and belonging. I’m drawn to bold compositions, expressive color, and scenes that feel familiar but reveal deeper tension the longer you look.
Where do you find inspiration?I find inspiration in everyday language especially Dominican sayings and the way people speak, joke, and interpret the world. I’m influenced by migration, class dynamics, and the tension between tradition and modern life. Personal memories, street culture, and social observation all become raw material for images that question what we accept as normal.
What would you do with $25,000?I would invest it directly into my practice and visibility: produce a cohesive body of large-scale paintings, document the process professionally, and build a strong digital presence. I’d also fund limited-edition prints and a small pop-up exhibition to reach a wider audience. The goal is not just to create more work, but to position it strategically so it lives beyond the studio.
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