Gloribel Irizarry

BFA ’20 Photography

Gloribel Irizarry is a visual artist from Puerto Rico who resides in North Carolina. She graduated from Information Systems and worked as an IT professional for about twenty years, until she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an artist. She has been always passionate about art and crafts. In 2012 she created the Frambuesa y Tamarindo brand to bring artsy inspiration to others, offer workshops, DIY, and create handmade items.

Irizarry studies at East Carolina University to receive a BFA in Photography. Her work focuses on current and cultural issues such as sexism, immigration and also her family history. She is interested in alternative photographic processes, digital media and textiles arts. Irizarry’s work has been exhibited regionally and nationally.

Uprooted

The economic crisis that has been affecting Puerto Rico for years, was aggravated after the island was hit by hurricane María on September 20th, 2017. There were billions of dollars in damage to the infrastructure on the island. The entire population was left in the dark (about three million people) in what became the longest blackout in U.S. history. Overnight, hundreds of thousands of residents became homeless. Thousands more were without access to basic necessities like safe drinking water and medical care. Hurricane María officially claimed the lives of almost 3,000 people.

All of these problems caused a massive exodus of Puerto Ricans to USA. Between 2017-2019, Puerto Rico has lost 4% of its population.

I used the chlorophyll process that uses elements of nature such as leaves and sunlight, not only because nature plays an important role in these stories, but also as a way to reconcile with what at some point represented so much destruction and pain.

This work was made to give a voice to those Puerto Ricans who have chosen to build a future and make their home in North Carolina. These leaves tell the story that there might be ferocious natural disasters that can destroy buildings, houses, smash trees, change the shape of mountains and cover an entire country with a veil of sorrow and stupor, but the human spirit is stronger than that. In order to provide for their loved ones, in order to thrive, people will face tremendous fears and challenges. Leaving behind what was once familiar, some Puerto Ricans arrived here with what they could fit in only one suitcase. With courage and determination, this Puerto Rican diaspora experienced the defiance of a different language and culture and faced the unknown with resilience. These leaves are telling that truth, that is more powerful than any hurricane that might exist.