Anacaonas de Borinquen
Gallery 1
Traditionally Puerto Rican women are the leader of the household, community, and are an integral part of Puerto Rican society. This group show, of well-known, important Puerto Rican artists, will reflect the diversity of the Puerto Rican woman through original works, silkscreens, and lithographs.
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Gallery 2
The Silkscreen Posters of Puerto Rico
Division de la Comunidad and Others (translated and adapted from the digital library of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture & University of Puerto Rico collaboration).
The poster in Puerto Rico has a different dimension and meaning that transcends the regular association one may have with the production of posters. The Puerto Rican posters are recognized as one of the most widespread and representative forms of artistic production and the study of its development and use provides a perspective on the social, historical, economic, and cultural aspects of the Island. Some studies locate the development of the cartel in Puerto Rico from the entry of the printing company to the Island, approximately in 1806, when typographic posters and promotional graphic sheets began to be produced. Others argue that Puerto Rican posters began in the late 1930s and early 1940s. This movement was closely linked to the use of the poster as a means of disseminating government and educational information.
On May 14, 1949, Law No. 372 was approved, which created the Community Education Division (DIVEDCO) in order to develop a program to promote and extend adult education in rural and urban areas of Puerto Rico. The Division produced many posters, mostly screen-printed, advertising educational and cultural activities, including films generated by DIVEDCO, as well as educational messages to the people. The works of the artists Lorenzo Homar, Isabel Bernal, and Ed Vera Cortes, among so many others, stand out in this collection.
Like the Community Education Division (DIVEDCO), other entities affiliated with the Government of PR or autonomous have used the poster as a means of communication and education. The collection that we present is a sample of the art form and depict the important role of women in Puerto Rican culture and every-day-life.
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Gallery 3
The Silkscreen Posters of Puerto Rico
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Gallery 4
The artists included in this gallery use a wide range of techniques to depict nature, animals, and their imagination. All are Puerto Rican and range in age from their mid 30’s to late 90’s.
The watercolorist Lourdes Gomez is one of the first watercolor instructors in Puerto Rico and is still living in Puerto Rico today. She depicts natural landscapes and sites within Puerto Rico. She is known for her artistic details and vibrant strokes of colors and is considered a true master of watercolor. It is important to note that it is rare to find her pieces in the art market.
Included here are up and coming artists like Seil Roman, Lilian Colon, and Sofia. In the art by Seil, he plays with colors, techniques, and gender; his depiction of saints, hens, roosters, and nature come to life in vibrant colors by using a mix of oil, acrylic, sand, and chalk. La gallo and La gallina, why not? Animals could also be gender non-conforming!
An up and coming transgender artist, Sofia depicts her imagination using nature, history, and iconic figures. Self-taught, Sofia paints her dreams from her imagination of the female figure.
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Gallery 5
Wilfred Labiosa
Wilfred Labiosa’s work has been exhibited in solo exhibitions in New York City, Boston, and in Old San Juan and has been included in individual exhibitions in the United States, Germany, Spain, Japan, the Dominican Republic, and Chile. His artwork is part of diverse public and private collections, as well as in museums located in Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States, and Europe. He was a beloved professor of many and was widely recognized for his graphic and textile designs and artwork in Puerto Rico, the United States, and Chile. He designed covers for books and music records and advertising campaigns. He also worked in animation projects for television in Puerto Rico and the United States.
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Gallery 6
Emelí Vando
Emelí Vando was born in Ponce on May 29,1949. She lived in San Juan, Puerto Rico from 1952 until her death in 2013. Emelí graduated from the School of Plastic Arts of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture in 1974. Her instructors were the masters of the ‘golden age’ of the Puerto Rican plastic: Augusto Marín, Fran Cervoni, Lorenzo Homar, and Hernández Cruz, among others. Emelí Vando belonged to the following organizations for artists: “Arte en la Plaza of Old San Juan, “Arte Pa' Pueblo”, “Complices en el Arte”, artists of MAVI and "Very Special Arts". Her works are installed in notable art galleries, squares, and renowned hotels such as the Radisson Ambassador, Intercontinental Hotel, and Gran Melía Hotel as well as exclusively at Labiosa Gallery in Old San Juan. Among her awards, she has been recognized by the Association of Art Teachers in Puerto Rico, Distinguished Lady of San Juan 2002, and recognized by the Senate of Puerto Rico 2008 and 2009 .
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