Jorge González Bridges Indigenous and Modern Life in Solo Show

Puerto Rican artist Jorge González presented his solo exhibition "En la luz como ceniza" at the Arsenal de la Marina Española in San Juan, organized by the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña (ICP). The show, open from December 21, 2022, to February 17, 2023, showcased the results of his decade-long research. González employed mud-coated construction, bamboo and palm fiber weaving, and metal candelabra making. These works engage with diverse knowledge systems, including the Puerto Rican textile labor of Soles de Naranjito and tallow candle making following the Yokot'an indigenous tradition from Mexico. A large-scale soot drawing contributed to the space's intentions of offering and protection. Curator Michy Marxuach stated that the site-specific installations are the result of teachings transmitted by knowledgeable men and women who promote respect for mysteries that can only be embodied when distancing from hegemonic languages and Western ways of relating to the world. González is the founder of Escuela de Oficios, a research and practice platform where participants map, document, and use artisanal techniques.