Juan finds inspiration in all manifestations of Taino and African heritage present in his country. For Juan one of the most important aspects of his art expression are to respect Loiza’s and Puerto Rico’s art history and tradition and to reaffirm and maintain the presence of Taino and Afrocaribbean heritage in his culture.
During his young adulthood Juan Pablo was involved in many movements in defense of his hometown natural reserves and cultural manifestations. Juan Pablo worked along with community groups to identify their necessities and interests and to organize and carry out the proposed solutions. Alonside the radical puppet theater group – Papel Machete-AgitArte – Juan Pablo used art to bring his colorful character, the “vejigante” to the streets as a symbol of resistance. By painting murals, enacting puppet theaters, making handcrafted masks, music, dance and community service, they were able to mix art expression with daily life, reaffirming his belief that art objects are more than mere decoration, but expressions of daily life’s struggles y realities.
