Despierta | Acrylic, air brush, and ink on canvas | 42” x 42”

A fierce critique of Puerto Rico’s beach privatization, Despierta bursts with vibrant purples, reds, and blues, evoking the island’s threatened natural beauty. A weathered “NO TRESPASSING” sign, defaced with an “X,” stands as a symbol of resistance, paired with the defiant “¡Si no me cosen la boca no van a hacerme callar!”—a nod to Tanguito’s rebellious spirit in Tango Feroz. Earthy browns ground the composition, reflecting the resilience of Puerto Rico’s soil and people. This layered manifesto calls viewers to awaken to the fight for communal heritage.