Art is the Solution

Untitled Source: Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico The beauty of the natural world is a common theme in Puerto Rican art. Painters like Francisco Oller, Miguel Pou, and Augusto Marin often celebrate the island’s natural abundance, especially the rich variety of plants grown on the island. This untitled painting by Puerto Rican artist Marta Pérez García continues in this tradition, albeit in a much less figurative style. García’s piece takes familiar elements of the Puerto Rican landscape—such as snakes, birds, lizards, and leaves—and strips them down to their essential elements. What remains is an abstracted vision of Puerto Rico, painted in vibrant shades of purple, blue, green, and orange. These colors are a large part of what makes the painting so attractive. The bright colors and rich textures of the untitled piece draw the viewer’s eye while creating an aura of warmth and energy. While this painting is a clear celebration of the natural world, there is also a darker element within...