Lonely Boricua Taino Series

La Rena de Taino

In my “Lonely Boricua Taino” series, I draw upon a deep personal connection to the Taino culture, stemming from my childhood experiences. It all began when, in 5th grade, I found myself compelled to sketch Taino symbols like the Sol and Frog in my history books. This was a response to my teacher’s erroneous claim that the Taino people had gone extinct upon Columbus’s arrival, a sta

Luna

 In defiance of this erasure and misinformation, I bravely spoke up in class, declaring, “No, we are not extinct because my family is Taino.” Sadly, my teacher’s dismissive response mirrored a long history of colonizers attempting to erase indigenous cultures.

Coqui

My abuela played a vital role in preserving our cultural heritage, passing down not only the knowledge of Taino symbols but also the art of making cassava bread. Much of this invaluable cultural information was missing from American history books, contributing to the misconceptions surrounding the Taino people’s existence.

Sol

Lonely Boricua Taino” series harnesses the power of graffiti art techniques, employing spray paint, sharpie markers, and acrylic paint to resurrect ancient petroglyphs and symbols on canvas. Through this process, I breathe new life into these ancient forms of expression, offering a powerful testimony to the Taino people’s resilience.

Juracán 

The vivacity and impact of my art have the potential to transform ordinary community spaces into thriving public destinations, reminding us all of the significance of preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage.

Areyto

Impact of European Contact:

European diseases, forced labor, and violence brought by Columbus and subsequent explorers devastated the Taino population. By the mid-16th century, the Taino people faced near-extinction. European colonization imposed new languages, religions, and customs on the Taino. Many Taino cultural elements were absorbed into the emerging Caribbean mestizo culture.