Evelyn Ramos

As a Puerto Rican-American, the act of painting is both cathartic and a spiritual offering. In the past my work exemplified my personal, internalized wish-fulfillment for motherhood. The painstakingly pained hearts, with their "private voices" express anguish, wounds and psychological pain. Other dualities can be found in my work. On one hand, there is primal art-making, prompted by the subconscious. The unconscious speaks through archetypal symbols, and their use is a way of improvisation and the integral to the process of risk-taking. On the other hand, my works are anchored in technological processes through the use of photos that specify the material and life's realities. The use of text is an integral part of "visual language" that is means of staying committed to certain issues, such as the dangers and bondage of addiction, that are common to many people. Another important issue is the voicelessness of the Puerto Rican people. I use text in my imagery to articulate the unheard. Furthermore, be among the voices of the devastation of Aids has had on our communities- and it's not over yet. Puerto Rico is the back door to the Americans and how drugs have endangered our people.