Acrylic paint and paper on canvas
36”x 36” x 1.5”
2023

I approached this mandala as a healing meditaition to work though my feeling around my inability to speak spanish at this time. This piece is a visual representation of my internal struggle. I am the star in the middle, trapped inside a brick wall surrounded by a swirl of emotions and experiences - unable to connect with the rest of the collective. The outer areas of the circle include the flor de maga which is the national flower of Puerto Rico. Outside of that is a layer of sun rays. These outer areas represent  the idyllic fantasy in my head about what it would mean to be fully immersed and accepted in to the Puerto Rican community. This piece took on a life of its own as I was working on it.