With the internet being so easy to access, it has become easier for independent artists to find an audience and let their work be known. As a result, a variety of movements, collectives, and scenes have found a way to pave their path. The independent art scene in Puerto Rico is no different. Recently, many artists from a variety of disciplines have found platforms that have made it easier for them to share their work. In addition, small businesses such as Electroshock in Santurce and Rio Piedras, bars like Off The Wall in Mayaguez, and libraries like La Casita Books and Gifts in Aguadilla have provided up-and-coming artists a space to display their talents. “Puerto Rican Women Killing It in the Independent Art Scene” is a series of interviews that provides a glimpse at some of the women who have recently gained recognition in the art scene. Though the artists are asked similar questions, some are asked queries surrounding their work, specifically.
What’s your name and what do you do in the arts?
My birth name is Lisa Marrero but I am also known by my pen name “Lala Juana”. I have a jewelry line named Raw Portion. I started my art career through painting and my interest in art grew when I decided to create paintings while being an Anthropology Major student. I knew it was something I wanted to keep on doing. I have to create for my own sanity. Once I finished my anthropology degree, I got into art school at the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras. Soon after, I started exploring notions of space and their interactions. Eventually, that evolved into a material exploration, Bringing me to the kind of jewelry and accessories that a make today. Art will always be my first love, it has shaped me into the person I am today. For me, art has always had the potential of breaking my heart and putting it back together.
What got you into jewelry and accessories?
I have always liked jewelry. My mom and my grandmother always had jewelry around the house, any kind of jewelry. So, my interest was just natural curiosity. I think accessories add a lot to one’s personal style. I’ve always made alterations to my own jewelry and clothing. This just made my path, a natural evolution, from making art into making accessories.
How did you develop your style?
After a long exploration process in the fine arts; paintings, installation even sculpture. I wanted to make wearable art. Jewelry that actually elevates a person’s style. I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from architecture and sculpture. So much so, that I even use concrete as a material for creating jewelry. I also combine all this with different types of materials that can be long lasting, elegant, minimal and beautiful at the same time. As mentioned before, all this process comes from my explorations as an artist.
How has it evolved through the years?
When I started Raw Portion, I knew what I wanted to do but I wasn’t 100% sure how I was going to get away with it. So I think the evolution process has been organic to the experiences gained through the creation of different collections in which exploration has been a key ingredient to completing and taking a piece from an idea, into design and finally into the making. Now I have a clear path of how the process of each piece should be. This path also leads to a more direct aesthetic and a final product as a whole. What are some of your influences and inspirations?
Most of my influences come from the fine arts and architecture, to mention some would have to be:; Louise Bourgeois, Anish Kapoor, Zilia Sánchez, Zaha Hadid. But, if it isn’t too bold for me to say, I want a creative empire and anyone who has achieved greatness to my definition is an inspiration.
Is there any other form of art you wish to pursue? If so, what field and why?
I always see and find myself going back to the art world. So, yes I would love to explore more sculpture, painting as an expanded field and do more installations; creating an experience through art. A message that evolves through the spectator is something that really interests me. I also really want to keep exploring different notions of style.
What do you think about the current state of the arts and business in Puerto Rico?
I think it’s growing. The arts have always been there between the shadows and the light. I think that the more people become aware and educated in the importance of art, as a historic aspect of the human experience and also of the sociological importance; this will lead to a more open fine arts realm. Art in Puerto Rico is something that has a lot of growth potential. We have a lot of talent as a country and it is shown in every form possible. It’s just necessary for the right government departments to work with different artists and institutions to be able to develop a strong art scene. But as a whole, it is already growing and it just needs some shaping in the right direction and incentives to keep evolving.
What do you think about the current state of the independent scene in Puerto Rico?
More and more spaces are becoming available for independent artists to expose their talents. So the floor has been shaken and the independent commerce is growing, it is more design oriented and has a lot of talented people participating in events, who actually grasp the magnificent movement that is developing in Puerto Rico. But we need more of it; more spaces for explorations, conversations and exhibiting work, as well as selling.
If a young girl came up to you and said she wanted to be an artist, what would be your advice for her?
I would tell her: “Be the strongest woman you can imagine and don’t let anyone make excuses for you or even with you, darling. Don’t ever ask for permission nor wait for approval. Do your own thing, because the glass ceiling is about to break and you are going into one exhilarating ride.”
What is your biggest goal right now?
My short term goal right now is having a studio, a storefront gallery type of space. And my long term goals are getting more involved, e-commerce and making Raw Portion more inclusive of other styling fields.
What do you seek to achieve with your work?
I want to make accessible work for people. I want people to be able to wear designed goods without having to spend too much of their hard earned money. I want people to feel and enjoy my work in whichever form that might be.
All of the pictures in this article were provided by Lisa Marrero