United States, 1984
My name is Manuel Perez and for the past few years, I’ve been working in oils and creating images related to my family history and personal identity. Recently, my work has been about the "Third Space" , that weird, middle ground of being Puerto Rican in the States. It’s that feeling of being "ni de aquí, ni de allá", neither from here, nor from there. I’ve been using my art to try and map out where the island ends and my life here begins. My identity isn't just about my own roots anymore, it’s about the life I’ve built with my Korean wife and our Korean/Puerto Rican kids. In our house, culture isn't a thing, it's a messy, beautiful mashup. We aren't just blending two cultures, we’re creating a kind of unique family culture. My kids are growing up with the sounds of Spanish and Korean, the smell of Habichuelas negras and kimchi, and the realization that they don’t have to pick a side, they are the bridge. While my foundational practice is somewhat eclectic however recently more traditional, specifically employing the Flemish technique, I have begun branching out and exploring many other different mediums such as cardboard sculpture, and 3d printed PLA sculpture. In terms of what it means to be an artist, I believe that it is a kind of spiritual journey. I create beautiful things almost purely for personal satisfaction. I spend so much of my resources creating paintings and sculptures, with no desire for monetary gain, my creations are as much a part of me as I am of them.