SANTOS SERIES, 2015 - 2016
Santos are the Saints representing the Catholic and African roots of deity in the Caribbean Santeria religion - a broadly followed belief in Puerto Rico and heavily practiced in immigrant homes of East New York, Bronx and the Lower East Side.
Santos represented in this series are the artists personal strongest allies in navigating a coming of age as a Nyorican and rediscovering their symbolic and spiritual meaning as an adult. Ortiz added some personal saints that are not directly related to Santeria.
Indian, Chango, Caridad de Cobre, Orisha, Sebastian, Obatala, Francis, Babalu, Lazarus, Martin, Michael. More deities are being added to the series which will be completed and presented for show in NYC in 2017.
The Santos are part of a larger heritage project the artist has been working on for the last 2 years.
All prints are 16 x 20. Editions of 5 or 7. Hand printed by artist on archival paper.