Armig Santos's 'Baladas' exhibition explores Puerto Rican identity through painting at Lévy Gorvy Dayan

Lévy Gorvy Dayan is hosting Armig Santos's first solo exhibition titled 'Baladas,' featuring new canvases that examine Puerto Rican identity through historical, archival, and ecological lenses. Santos draws inspiration from José Luis González's 1978 novel 'Balada de otro tiempo,' a significant portrayal of traditional campesino culture in Puerto Rico. The artist describes each painting as a ballad to Puerto Rico, serving as reminders of the past while offering insights into contemporary realities. His works incorporate colonial references and romantic depictions of Puerto Rico's heritage, created through exploration of the island's geography. Santos's personal and pastoral relationship to Puerto Rico informs the exhibition, which presents a series of love letters to the islands. The exhibition marks the gallery's inaugural solo presentation of Santos's work, showcasing his painterly approach to cultural memory and place.