Borinquen

Borinquen is the original name of the island of Puerto Rico given by Taínos, the Indigenous group occupying Puerto Rico before colonization. My work relating to Puerto Rico is a love letter to a culture that I am constantly uncovering. I often use motifs like quenepas, a fruit native to the Caribbean, Vejigante masks worn during festivals to scare away evil spirits, and Taíno symbols with different meanings. Bomba y plena is also referenced by the bomba dancers who swish their white dresses to the beat of drums influenced by our West African heritage. Borinquen is a proud rendering of all that makes me Puerto Rican.