Las Mascaras VI, 2023

Juan Carlos Amador  

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 (The masks) Series Spray paint, acrylic and gel medium on canvas