‘Diasporican’ art exhibition celebrates Puerto Rican culture and identity

The Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University, in partnership with the National Puerto Rican Diaspora Museum (NPRDM), debuted the exhibition "Diasporican: From Dispersion to Integration" on Oct. 24, celebrating Puerto Rican heritage and identity through sculpture and photography. The opening reception featured insights from curators and members of the museum's Board of Directors.

The exhibition aims to open a dialogue about the evolving Puerto Rican community and its ongoing presence in the United States. Curated by Lisa Soltren and Noemi Santana, "Diasporican" includes sculptures by Victor Pacheco and photography series by Puerto Rican artists Joe Conzo Jr., Marisol Diaz and Perla de Leon.

During his opening remarks, Eastern President Karim Ismaili thanked members of the Puerto Rican diaspora for sharing their culture, ideas and history with Eastern. He also acknowledged former President Elsa Núñez, whose vision drove the collaboration between the NPRDM and Eastern in its early stages.

"The vision is to record, exhibit, memorialize and make available the history of this community to the public and to future generations," said Santana. "Our plans for the NPRDM's evolution are big because this community is big." As of 2023, 46% of Connecticut's Hispanic population is of Puerto Rican heritage, making it the largest Hispanic group in the state, Santana noted.

Soltren explained that the exhibition "establishes a timeline" and focuses on the large migration from Puerto Rico to the United States during the 1960s. This historical period is reflected in de Leon's and Conzo's photography series. Meanwhile, contemporary elements in the timeline are represented in Pacheco's sculptures and Diaz's color photography.

Diaz's work highlights Puerto Rican diasporic performers who achieved recognition. Her portraits capture these individuals' lives, symbolizing their journeys across generations as part of the diaspora.

Conzo, a Bronx-born photographer, focuses on the activism and vibrant cultural music scene of New York's Puerto Rican community. Conzo, whose family was deeply involved in activism, documents the vitality and resilience of the South Bronx from the mid-1970s to early 1980s.

Similarly, de Leon's series "South Bronx Spirit" documents the urban decay of the South Bronx during the 1970s, portraying both the neighborhood's physical devastation and the resilience of its residents.

Pacheco's sculptures highlight the hazards of chemical products in ecosystems. He explores the fusion of natural and man-made elements and repurposes materials to raise awareness about the current environmental state.

"Diasporican" will run in the University's Art Gallery, located in the Fine Arts Instructional Center, until Feb. 14. Admission is free. For more information, contact (860) 465-4659 or visit the exhibition website.

Gallery Hours

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12 to 4 p.m.

• Tuesday, Thursday: 12 to 7 p.m.

• Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.