HABITANTES | Identity

HABITANTES is a project that explores the idea of space, memory and social identity through a selection of artists who have a special bond with the city of Bayamón.

The exhibition proposes a look at the relationship of this community of artists with the place where they were born, raised or where they have carried out their lives.

Habitante (Inhabitant) is the term conferred to designate the people who have been part of the population of a particular place.  

The exhibition is made up of forty-three artists whose works, in a multiplicity of media and aesthetics, trace a look at what it would be worth to define the being that inhabits something. 

"When my mom was giving birth to me, my dad was putting up the fences of our house in Urb. Río Hondo 2 in Bayamón, where I grew up riding my bike with my brother and my dog."

"I studied in several schools and graduated from La Salle where I learned to play basketball with my friends. Many of my friends who were key in my formation are still with me.

 "At the age of 10 we moved from Río Piedras to the "countryside"; our parents were looking to get out of the city and we arrived in Bayamón."

 "There we grew up in our wooden house, among greenery, silence, the sound of birds, watching the flight of the guaraguao, in contact with the Earth, enjoying open spaces... in pure freedom. That is my home... it is, was and will be my connection to Bayamon."

Philip Cruz, known by his artistic name PUN 18, stood out in urban and mural art. 

Cruz left his mark in Bayamón by participating in the resident artist project "Las casitas", painting the official Tourist Trolley and developing one of the murals of the project "Los Muros Hablan en Bayamón" (The Walls Speak in Bayamón).

 "I have lived in Bayamón for more than 60 years and have seen its growth and development. From my house in Hermanas Dávila I could see the countryside and the cows grazing. I studied kindergarten and first grade on Comerío Street."

"My older sister used to take my brother and me, to La Cialenia Bakery and El Sol Store. I am old now but I keep beautiful recollections in my memory, images, sounds, colors and characters."

"Bayamón brings me three memories: the schools of Dr. Francisco Oller, Dr. José Antonio Dávila, Dr. Agustín Stahl; friends I had throughout the periphery; Residencial Magnolia Gardens, Villa Contessa, Residencial Alhambra, Calle Comerio, Residencial Virgilio Dávila."

"It fills me with memories and creativity - thank you!"

 "I was born in Bayamón and the memory of those first twenty years is the root of who I am. That's where all my education took place. That world hardly exists, it is kept inside me like a treasure."

"In that town I learned to walk, to talk, to read, to play, to believe, to think. I was a child, daughter, sister, friend, mother. Then woman, artist, teacher and even mentor to young people. I am grateful to be able to say this from Bayamón."