Las Máscaras V and VI. Diptych, 2023

Juan Carlos Amador  

This artwork features a striking composition of abstract shapes and vibrant colors, creating a captivating visual experience. Comprising two panels, each section displays translucent, overlapping ovals in rich shades of blue, pink, yellow, orange, and green. The transparency and layering effect produce unique hues where colors intersect, generating a sense of depth and movement. This interplay of light and shadow invites viewers to explore the piece more intimately. The artist's meticulous use of color and form challenges perceptions of space, offering an evolving narrative in visual expression. The minimal background emphasizes the dynamic shapes, allowing them to command attention and stimulate a sense of curiosity and wonder. This work exemplifies a harmonious balance between simplicity and complexity, making it a compelling addition to contemporary abstract art.

This series draws inspiration from Hatillo's Fiesta de los Santos Inocentes, translating the festival's vibrant movement and collective energy into a refined abstract vocabulary. Through repeated organic forms, layered translucent color, and rhythmic patterns of ovals, dots, and lines, Amador evokes the bells, textiles, and dynamic motion of the masqueraders without depicting them literally. The palette-ranging from vivid chromatic bursts to softened whites-recalls the iconic costumes of the celebration. Rooted in geometric abstraction yet shaped by lived cultural experience, Las Máscaras- situates local tradition within a contemporary, Caribbean-centered approach to painting. Amador paintings feature a color palette that is a direct reflection of his surroundings. Growing up amidst the beaches and mountains of Puerto Rico, he draws primary inspiration from these places, which hold a lifetime of memories and experiences for him. The transparent waters, palm trees, and flowers from his upbringing are translated into vibrant, colorful paintings. The artist believes that art can shape emotions, and through his work, he aims to provoke a sense of joy. Amador enjoys exploring various mediums in his work. He has developed diverse styles, from abstract depictions to collages made from leftover painting materials. 

From Las Mascaras Series (The Masks) series. Spray paint, acrylic and gel medium on canvas.