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.
Sylvia Nicole is a young artist and small business owner who right now is doing designs on shirts and hoodies while doing different types of designs for her to reach different social groups on the island.
What got you into clothing?
Since little I’ve been dressing different and not going by the standard clothing, always going to the guys section instead of the ordinary pink girl section. That drove me to buy shirts with a variety of designs and I started to pay more attention to them. I don’t like to wear something that everybody has, so what’s better than to wear my own brand.
How did you develop your style?
My dad got me into extreme sports when I was little and since then I got those skater or surfer vibes and almost everything I wear is with that style behind it. In my family, I’m the only one that dresses that way and I got it from him; everything from the way I dress, talk or see the world.
How has it evolved through the years?
It fully hit me on high school. There I started to get more into arts and developing a style of my very own. On the casual days everyone dressed up the way they liked and I could see everyone’s style. My goal was to look different and I found people who were different. There I knew that, little by little, the style was evolving into something I really liked, which, in that moment, I never imagined that it was gonna turn into a clothing brand. On the last year of high school, I started to develop the idea that this was something I wanted to pursue.
What are some of your influences and inspirations?
I think the biggest influence was my mom, she raised me on the creative set of my mind and that made me had an insight on everything that is art. Where I live is a big inspiration, the West Side should be more recognized and I’m gonna do everything I can to represent it through my brand. The skate movement is a big part of my life and I also want to get involved in that. When making designs, everything can be an inspiration such as an experience, a sport or a friend. On the designs I have already made, my friends have been a big inspiration. For example, my first shirt is a photo of my friend Derek and that’s where everything started.
Is there any other form of art you wish to pursue? If so, what field and why?
My first time making art was painting on canvas, I want to incorporate that into the movement I’m doing. I already put my photos on the shirts and I want to continue taking more photos and making that part of my journey. On the way, I know there’s gonna be other art forms I’m gonna pursue and that’s the fun of it.
What do you think about the current state of the arts in Puerto Rico?
We need to fight to get our voice heard because the arts in Puerto Rico are not recognized as they should and we got to do our part to change that. The government is not the best at focusing on arts, but they are good on focusing on stupid things and that affects us. However, we can’t give up because art and young people pursuing their dreams are everywhere we look and we have to let them know that.
What do you think about the current state of the independent scene in Puerto Rico?
I see a lot of the independent movement on the island, but I think it needs more of a public eye. Now that I’m with the brand, I’m learning how the independent scene works and my opinion is that people don’t promote it as much and promoting and helping each other is what’s gonna make us grow. We already know that the people upstairs (the government) are not helping, so the working social class instead of buying other things should buy more local. The amazing Christmas season is the perfect moment to support the local brands, events and the independent movement.
If a young girl came up to you and said she wanted to be an artist, what would be your advice for her?
There’s a lot of people in this world and I bet that not even half of them go day by day doing what they really want to do in life. Every person has the right to do what they love and for us who pursue art as a way of life it is seen as a mistake and the real mistake is not taking the chance on yourself. If you want to be an artist on any form, be it music, painting, skating or something else, you should do it and feel complete in life.
What is your biggest goal right now?
My biggest goal is to make this a big movement and aspire to bigger and better things. I want to make events, shirts, paintings, photos and everything life brings. In the future, I would even like to open a store in my hometown and give the opportunity to others with new brands and make skate and surf events.
What do you seek to achieve with work?
I want to make a platform where I can be able to help upcoming artists and give them the support they need.
Find Sylvia Nicole and Nicwest Clothing on Instagram
All of the pictures in this article were provided by Sylvia Nicole