I create art to translate emotion into color, blending memory, identity, and contradiction into spaces for reflection.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
My favorite types of art to create are installation and painting, though I also enjoy sculpture and printmaking. Painting allows me to explore emotion through bold color and symbolism, while installation lets me build immersive spaces where viewers can connect physically and emotionally. Both mediums give me the freedom to express layered experiences, memory, and identity in ways that feel honest and open to interpretation.
Where do you find inspiration?I find inspiration in memory, family stories, and lived experience. My Puerto Rican identity and personal history shape how I interpret emotion, color, and narrative. I’m also inspired by objects, photographs, and fleeting moments that hold emotional weight, as well as artists who explore identity, symbolism, and layered storytelling.
What would you do with $25,000?I would use $25,000 to support my college education while pursuing my art education degree, growing as a future educator, and keeping my own studio practice alive. It would allow me to invest in materials for painting and installation so I can continue exploring memory, identity, and emotional storytelling. This support would give me the time and resources to develop as both an artist and teacher, sharing art as a tool for expression, reflection, and connection.
Vote for Maribel Perez to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Limited-time: 2X votes ends on Sun 5/31 at 9PM PDT
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