By Jennifer Vazquez—

The GSUB gallery was probably the most colorful it’s been this whole semester, thanks to the art exhibition in honor of the 35th annual Puerto Rico discovery week held on November 26. Two local Puerto Rican artists were shown; Rita Marquez, from Newark, and Alma Peralta, from Union City.

The exhibition space was divided in half with each artist’s works hung on opposite sides. Marquez’s works were beautifully rendered graphite drawings of, as she described, “indigenous people” of distinctive races and cultures. However, Marquez didn’t show any images of indigenous Puerto Ricans despite the focus on Puerto Rican artists and the Puerto Rican culture.

“Culture is a celebration itself. There is not a lot of research about Tainos. But, as people, if we could share our culture that’s the best thing. Culture unifies everyone,” said Marquez.

Peralta’s work greatly contrasted with Marquez in content, color, and quantity, dominating the space with what seemed like an endless supply of vibrant oil paintings.

Her works are representations of herself and her emotions. Many of them show a use of Surrealist techniques. The use of symbolism and her painting style allude to Frida Khalo, a Mexican artist iconic in art history. It felt like seeing Modern Art in a Puerto Rican’s perspective. Much of what she portrayed directly reflected Puerto Rico and its culture.

“I see my work like a diary; whatever I feel I just start painting….When I started painting I didn’t know anything about artists of before,” said Peralta.

The two artists’ works were awkward together in the exhibition, especially with the amount of paintings versus drawings. However, it was a refreshing glimpse into the vibrant Latin art community that surges throughout Jersey City and the cities nearby. There is such a variety in the way these artists work that one can only wonder what else is being done behind the scenes and away from the contemporary New York art scene.