artist statement

SMARQSDASPOT

Original Art Creations by Sebastian Marquez

Abstract | Modern

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Color.
Expresses emotions. Draws out emotions.

As an artist of Puerto Rican descent, I embrace the colorful tapestry that makes up the beautiful culture in which I grew up. Our food, our music and our people come in all different colors - a beautiful mixed race bred from Spaniards, Africanos and Tainos of centuries past. When later generations would migrate to the Empire State, a new breed of Puerto Ricans known as Nuyorquinos or Nuyoricans, would evolve into an even richer and more vibrant culture of their own. Manhattan was their new island home, with towering skyscrapers replacing lazy palm trees and the sounds of salsa everywhere emanating from its plena and bomba roots.

In the 70's and 80's, hip-hop culture was born and nurtured, and graffiti became the urban art revolution. I was a young boy surrounded by all this and more. Tall buildings and colorful subway trains filled my mind's canvas. The contrast was inspiring, and forever embedded within me. When I went away to a boarding school in New England, I took those visions with me. I sketched my very first NY skyline there, because it reminded me of home. It brought back the memories of what I missed. The good times. The awesome music. Mom's cooking. Playing handball 'til dark....

When I'm painting, there's usually one of two things that happen: 1) I'm expressing a feeling that has to get out; there are no words, but there's plenty of paint, or 2) someone, somewhere at sometime will look at my finished work, and will not have words, but will have the paint in front of them that says it all.