Tuesday, October 25, 2016

one page of the thousands on Pedro Albizu Campos secret FBI file

My first evidence to support the family' suspicion that maybe my great grandfather 
Angel Ramos Torres did not die in a car accident.


 
This document states my great grandfather as the president of the nationalist party in his home town of Aguas Buenos. The witness of his wedding was Rafael Ortiz Pacheco, listed here as the treasurer. Both Pedro Albizu Campos and Rafael Ortiz Pacheco were Compadres of Angel Ramos Torres (godparents of Angels first two children)
Pedro Albizu Campos graduated from Harvard Law was a lawyer, politician, and the leading figure in the Puerto Rican Nationalist movement.
Rafael Ortiz Pacheco was a lawyer, served in armed forces, and was accused taking part of tying to overthrow the US government from PR.
 
 

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Day one at MASS MoCA/Assetts fro Artist Residency 2016

Working at Mass MoCA/ Assets for Artist residency. Celebrating one year anniversary sense my first residency here, and happy to have been one of the artist selected in the first group last year
October 2015. Blair Benjamin, Emily Edwards & Briana Halpin are a great team supporting artists. I cant say enough about this amazing residency, Museum, town, and great people.
Thank you Blair for allowing me to return and work in this great community!
My Historical identity project has taken me to explore silkscreen. I am happy working in another medium, but find I do not have much patience for the silk screen process.

My body is in a lot more pain than if I were painting. It requires more moving and pulling!

I expect the finished product of this project to honor my great grandfather Angel Ramos Torres.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

How I uncovered my Puerto Rican History-Historical Identity Art Project


Excited to celebrate 1 year anniversary with MASS Moca/Assets for Artist Residency. I will be returning to continue my silk screen images on my Historical Identity Art Project.

The goal for this project is to conclude in remembering and uncovering a family member’s life, suppressed for three generations by fear. Created by The Colonial rule of the United States over Puerto Rico. I recently learned that Puerto Rico was not given an opportunity to fight for its Independence. The main character in the Independence movement in PR was Pedro Albizu Campos. In my experience he was often referred to as that crazy Nationalist. Little did I know or care to know and maybe could have never imagined what occurred in Puerto Rico in the 30’s and 40’.

Have you ever asked yourself: What is the relationship with the United States and Puerto Rico?
Who is Pedro Albizu Campos?
stay tuned for more details...

Vintage bottle from Manantial Las Palmas: Where I wan informed my great grandfather was the chemical engineer and many Nationalist worked.  Location Caguas PR.


My journey in Uncovering my Great Grandfathers relationship and participation with Don Pedro and the Nationalist Movement. Angel Ramos Torres life will not be forgotten!

Saturday, September 3, 2016

#Latina #OnePulse #pride #identity #Art #selfie

 #Latina: ReclaimingTheLatinaTag 

is completed at 100 painted portraits



My artist in residence at was a success, i complete the 100 portraits and 



in addition completed the 49 portraits of #OnePulse victims #OrlandoStrong

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

#Latina:Reclaimingthelatinatag & #onePulse #OrlandoStrong

 My time at room83spring  is almost complete
My body and mind are exhausted but I am feeling accomplished!
Location: 83 Spring Street in Watertown MA


I came in with white walls and a fresh pallete!



On an average i have been painting 4-5 portraits per day... have you noticed they fit on my hand?! they are miniature portraits. After the second portraits my eyes start crossing and that means I need a break. I also had to keep it interesting for myself, otherwise I felt like a factory, so there are about a dozen "unfinished" portraits. I find them extremely beautiful!

A few of them have text, the original text posted by the participant on Reclaiming the Latina tag tumblr blog.

I also dedicated a series to Latina Graduates, there were many Proud Latinas College Graduates!
The portraits in Memory of the #OnePulse #OrlandoStrong victims are almost complete, 3 more as of Wed. Aug.17th! These portraits allowed me to reflect, pray, and think about the families of these victims. It was at times heartbreaking as I would complete one and read about that individual. I have enjoyed and admired their beautiful faces.


Wednesday, July 20, 2016

#Latina #OnePulse #OrlandoStrong

Amanda Alvear a victim of the Orlando massacre had a chance to escape but went back to find her best friend. 49 victims were lost that night.


As I try to understand the hatred in this world in a place I called home, I could only turn to my art. I met my husband Salsa Dancing in Orlando FL, Latin nights at the clubs was my chosen night. I decided to paint the portraits of the 49 in hopes to continue a conversation about acceptance and Love.

Why a painted portrait? We connect with others first through the Face and it is the reason why the painted portrait still has the power to move us. Portraits primary goal is to signal and individuals presence. The small size of the portraits at 3 inches by 5 inches aims to call attention at how we currently look at images (on our cell phones) and draw reference to the old tradition of miniature portraits. Popular among mid 16th century elites, carried as a piece of jewelry such as a locket or brooches, as mementos. 
 

I am currently the artist in residence at room83spring in Watertown MA and my time there will conclude in my First Solo show. I will be presenting #Latina:Reclaiming the Latina tag and #OnePulse. On August 25th 4-7, 26th 5-8, 27th 4-7, 28th 1-4pm. 

Follow my Facebook Fan page https://www.facebook.com/groups/naydacuevasartlatina/ for process shots, visit my website naydacuevasart.com, I am also on instagram, twitter, and tumblr.

#Latina #OnePulse #OrlandoStrong

Amanda Alvear a victim of the Orlando massacre had a chance to escape but went back to find her best friend. 49 victims were lost that night.


As I try to understand the hatred in this world in a place I called home, I could only turn to my art. I met my husband Salsa Dancing in Orlando FL, Latin nights at the clubs was my chosen night. I decided to paint the portraits of the 49 in hopes to continue a conversation about acceptance and Love.

Why a painted portrait? We connect with others first through the Face and it is the reason why the painted portrait still has the power to move us. Portraits primary goal is to signal and individuals presence. The small size of the portraits at 3 inches by 5 inches aims to call attention at how we currently look at images (on our cell phones) and draw reference to the old tradition of miniature portraits. Popular among mid 16th century elites, carried as a piece of jewelry such as a locket or brooches, as mementos. 
 

I am currently the artist in residence at room83spring in Watertown MA and my time there will conclude in my First Solo show. I will be presenting #Latina:Reclaiming the Latina tag and #OnePulse. On August 25th 4-7, 26th 5-8, 27th 4-7, 28th 1-4pm. 

Follow my Facebook Fan page Nayda Cuevas Art #Latina for process shots, visit my website naydacuevasart.com, I am also on instagram, twitter, and tumblr.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Empowering others via the painted #selfie portrait

#Latina:Reclaimingthelatinatag 

goal of 100 painted selfie portraits on those posted 
on tumblr blog reclaiming the latina tag
two weeks in 58 more portraits to go


 Love love this portrait and the words she posted on the blog
"Madre perdóname por odiar mi herencia estos labios estos ojos este pelo Madre perdóname"
The struggle in our identity our heritage, our selves.... I can only hope to showcase her Beauty!

Currently Summer Resident at room83spring in Watertown, MA
can also follow me on Facebook at Nayda Cuevas Art #Latina
visit my website www.naydacuevasart.com

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Surface Transforemed


 
 

Painting is a magical medium-it allows painters to associate life experiences to smearing color on surface to transform.
The physicality and act of transcendence as its always unfinished before its finished and its always wrong before it is right.
What if I had done... or... is a process. Magical transcendence rooted in process, evidence of its own making, its physicality


Thursday, April 14, 2016

Painting process #Latina #Reclaimingthelatinatag

I will be painting 100 portraits for my series entitled #Latina: Reclaiming the Latina tag
I began with 26
I have added 6 more
68 more to go

I am adding cold wax to this next bunch, It creates great texture. Making it more fun for me!

I apply paint with a palette knife

and scraping paint with a sewing tool I found near by in my studio


Monday, April 11, 2016

Boston Biennial 4-2016- #Latina: Reclaiming the Latina Tag


Atlantic Works Gallery

Boston Biennial Opening Reception


 Extending dialogue outside cyber space and having one on
One conversations with opening reception visitors. Maria and Rocio, both students, found it relevant to come and join me
And Reclaim the Latina tag as an extension of my paintings.
This is what Rocio had to say
"It was my first time going to an art exhibit and it was a fun night! I got to meet a lot of artists and new people. I liked hearing what the artist had to say about their artwork. It was interesting to hear what inspired them, how they did it, and what was the meaning behind the artwork. I enjoyed telling others what Reclaiming the Latina Tag was, and telling them what it really means to be a Latina woman. It was my opportunity to share my story of being a Latina woman."


Friday, April 1, 2016

Historical Identity Project- sneak peek

My first official workshop at The Makers Mills in North Adams in collaboration with MASS MoCA Assets for Artist in February 2016

As a stay at home mother, wife and personal need to create. It is important self-care to take time for myself. My supportive husband was able to gift me a week away to devote time to my art practice.
 Just some small peek at my images as this is an ongoing trial and error project.

I aim to explore narrative structures by recovering the untold or forgotten histories of my Puerto Rican heritage. After reading the book released in Spring 2015 by Nelson Denis entitled “War Against All Puerto Ricans” my eyes were opened to the untold relationship and history of the United States with Puerto Rico. After six months of distilling and processing the book I gained much respect for Pedro Albizu Campos, the leading figure in the Puerto Rican independence movement and became aware of the FBI files kept of individuals in PR. I was reminded of the overlooked and forgotten relationship of my own family with Mr. Albizu Campos. I was prompted to research and investigate my family’s relationship and or participation with the independence movement of PR. My research took me to submitting for Free of Information Act to research if any FBI files were kept on my great grandmother and potentially one kept on my great grandfather whom I discovered presided the board of the nationalist party in his home town of Aguas Buenas, PR.

 


Saturday, March 19, 2016

Not Enough Artist Opportunities


Too many artist, Not enough Opportunities

At what point should an art organization stop taking applications to improve the chances for an artist to get an acceptance letter rather than a rejection? With a note saying…”after receiving 705 application you were not selected.

 At $ 57 per applicant x 705… come on!!!! is this how they fund one artist? It has been made clear that the art world is over saturated with artist and not enough opportunities available to support them.

When are we, artist, going to make art organizations responsible and ethical? I say we stop sending in applications that have a high fee, make it free! Close the application at 100, give artist better chances to be selected!

Two of the many rejection letters after hundreds of applicants have submitted.

“Dear Applicant:

Thank you for applying to the Fine Arts Work Center’s 2016-2017 Fellowship season. The Visual Arts Committee pre-jury recently met in New York City to select the finalists. We received 705 applications and only 46 applicants advance.”

“Dear Nayda,

Thank you so much for your application to the Sustainable Arts Foundation.

In this round, turnout was again very high: over 1,100 writers and artists submitted their portfolios, an intense demand which drives our mission…”

 

It is of no surprise why artist Brainard Carey author of Making it in the art world, has been helping artist for more than 5 years. Encouraging artist to break the mold, attempt different things, and take matters into their own hands. Carey publishes an educational newsletter to develop the professional careers of artists and produces a number of online courses to do the same.


Graduate school sends artist out into the art world with a pat on the back, Good Luck! let us know how you do!

Things learned outside of graduate school; through professional development programs, like Assets for Artists here in MA and other artists guide tips, here is what I have learned.

1.       Decide on what you want, set a Goal

2.       Action, What can you do to meet that goal? What are the steps it takes? Write them down

3.       How long could it take to reach this goal

4.       Get you Shit together, high quality images, CV, Artist resume, website, cards, etc

Easier said than done! All these steps require invested time and attention. How bad do you want it?

Sunday, February 28, 2016

exhibition in Vermont March 2016

US, THEM, YOU
March 1-April 9 2016
http://www.studioplacearts.com/

While occupying a single earth, many generations of people have amplified their differences from others and the similarities within their own defined groups. Rather than coalescing around the idea that "we're all in this collectively," these extremes "US," not "THEM" perspectives are expressed in both radical and in socially-accepted ways through racial and class prejudice, genocide, wars, political corruption, resource allocation, and fear messaging on social media.
Studio Place Arts is hosting a global, invitational exhibit involving artist from the U.S. and around the world that explore the highly charged topics of "US" and "THEM". The exhibition will open March 1-April 9, 2016.
Opening Reception:  Sat., Mar. 12, 4-6PM



My pieces entitled #MurrietaProtest and #DREAMers will take part of this exhibition. #MurrietaProtest, addresses a shameful display of anti-immigrant sentiment in this country- specifically an event that took place in California in July of 2014.  A response to #MurrietaProtest came after Obamas Executive Actions on Immigration, entitle #DREAMers. Activism by young immigrants at the Iowa freedom summit January 2015 and  attendance to Obamas remarks at Town Hall at Florida International University Miami held April 2015. Consequently, my explorations led me to appropriate images online and represent found selfies. By painting from images that are inherently informal and impermanent, I seek to draw attention to how we interpret our engagement with one another as a series of fleeting yet meaningful encounters, thereby pointing a lens to our culture of instant gratification metaphorically pressing pause. I slow down the viewers engagement by painting the portraits the size of a cell phone. This slows down the viewer’s gaze. The “gaze” has been theorized as a means of exerting power through the act of looking; by encouraging a slower gaze in my repainted selfies. I encourage the viewer to consider the lives of others. In this regard, my paintings serve to celebrate the diversity within the Latino community in the United States and to explore the complex ways in which people negotiate issues of ethnic identity using social media as a means of social activism.