Raelis Vasquez; '46' Exhibition debuts at PM/AM Gallery
WORDS BY ALBERTINA CAMPBELL
Following the end of his most recent residency with London-based contemporary art gallery PM/AM. Raelis Vasquez (b. 1995) takes us through the shape of water in his new solo exhibition, aptly titled "46", held at the PM/AM gallery. Water is an essential resource that holds a prominent position in the cultural fabric of all Dominicans. The artist employs water as a unifying springboard to reconnect the historical indigenous communities from his hometown of Mao's El Pueblo de Dios. A locale nestled in the Valverde province, often called the "tierra entre rios" or "land between rivers." with the daily lives of the artist's family in the present day. The significance of water as a source of sustenance and leisure for these communities is a poignant reminder of our dependence on this life-enriching resource.
Portrait of Raelis Vasquez by Sara Sahores
In these new works, Vasquez offers a glimpse of what life in the Dominican Republic would have been like if he hadn’t emigrated to the USA at the age of seven in 2002. Usually drawing on his Afro-Dominican heritage to craft figurative compositions depicting domestic scenes of the multifaceted Afro-Latinx experience—using familial and non-familial subjects as inspiration. His artworks derive from intimate photographs, taken of relatives or locals in the US or during his visits to the Dominican Republic. These photographs capture casual moments, which take on a more profound significance as they are reimagined on the canvas, allowing viewers to relate to the scenes more deeply.
Nine new realist paintings populate the upper gallery floor; the subjects in Vasquez's paintings either sit peacefully by the water's edge, wade in, swim, engage in lively thrashing, or saunter through a refreshing pool, collectively forming a captivating tableau.
Installation view. Courtesy of PM/AM and the artist. Photography by Ollie Hammick
Through the Branches, 2023. Courtesy of PM/AM and the artist. Photography by Ollie Hammick
In Through the Branches, (2023), we are presented with an Edenic scene where two young Afro-Latinx boys are captured in a timeless moment of play. The painting itself is painted in a landscape-portrait style—dense, impenetrable foliage acts as a backdrop for the artwork but also serves as a secondary source to the painting. Evoking the exotic and primitive, vegetative ambience associated with the celebrated French Post-Impressionist artist Henri Rousseau, renowned for his iconic jungle and fantasy-themed works. It's impossible not to be reminded of the impetuosity of youth.
In the Thick, 2023. Courtesy of PM/AM and the artist. Photography by Ollie Hammick
The fluidity of water is beautifully captured in In the Thick, (2023); you can almost hear the sole, young, female subject gracefully wading through the body of water; her expression is stoic, and she adorns a red two-piece that complements the reddish undertones in her brown skin. The artist skilfully captures the reflective highlights on her shoulders, arms, abdomen, and thigh, effectively conveying the appearance of wet skin.
If and Only If, (2023) encourages the viewer to contemplate water as a commodity, something consumable, and draws attention to the issue of water scarcity and waste and how it connects with the broader ecosystem. In the piece, we see a young Afro-Latinx boy, clad in a black Walt Disney t-shirt, a universal moniker. The serene background of the still lake and flora adds to the overall impact of the piece.
In this exhibition, viewers will unmistakably sense and partake in the artist's enthusiastic desire to convey the vibrancy and vitality that flows through his creative expression of broader Afro-Latinx narratives. Home away from home yet firmly anchored in one's cultural heritage and the essence of a diasporic identity.
If and Only If, (2023 Courtesy of PM/AM and the artist. Photography by Ollie Hammick