12/02/2025
These pieces are from a wood project I did over a year ago for my Sculpture class in college. The pieces are up for sale, feel free to message me if interested!
When I first began this project, I felt uncertain about the direction I wanted to take. However, my thoughts kept returning to the traditional artisan crafts of Puerto Rico. I drew my inspiration from Taino symbols, a connection that felt natural and meaningful, as I am Puerto Rican, and Taino culture has always held a special place in my heart. This work was also very inspired by a medallion necklace my father made for me when I was little which had the sun symbol. I selected symbols that resonate deeply with Puerto Rican identity: the sun, the coquí (a native frog), and water.
In Taino culture, the coquí is a cherished symbol, embodying Puerto Rico's natural landscape and heritage. These small frogs are named after the sound male frogs make at night, a sound that fills the island and reminds us of its unique ecosystem and of home. Taino legends tell of a time when the island was teeming with coquís long before humans arrived.
The spiral, another symbol I incorporated, appears frequently in Taino art, representing the infinite energy of the cosmos and symbolizing water, a crucial life force. This spiral imagery is both physical and spiritual, a reminder of nature’s cyclical, unending flow.
Lastly, the sun holds special significance in Taino legend, believed to have originated in a cave alongside the moon. This myth tells of a cave called Mautiatibuel, “Son of Dawn” or “Lord of Dawn,” where the sun and moon were said to take turns rising and setting. This story underscores the Taino reverence for celestial cycles, with the sun and moon playing central roles
in their worldview.
Through this piece, I aimed to honor Taino culture and its profound connection to nature and the cosmos, reflecting on the enduring impact of these symbols on Puerto Rican heritage and
identity.
