Raelis Vasquez

Overview
Raelis Vasquez
Raelis Vasquez (b. 1995, Mao Valverde, Dominican Republic) navigates historical, political, and personal narratives within his artwork, capturing the essence of daily life and intricacies of Afro-Latinx experiences. His painterly compositions serve as a reflection of this multifaceted reality. Drawing inspiration from his own photographs of Afro-Latinx communities in New Jersey and the Dominican Republic, as well as from personal family archives, Vasquez imbues his paintings with a labor of love. Through meticulous attention to detail and gestural brushwork, warm and cool hues, and the deliberate use of texture, Vasquez's figures evoke both a sense of ease and vulnerability. This duality invites viewers to contemplate their own perspectives on class, race, and geography within the broader socio-cultural landscape.
 
Having immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 2002, Vasquez carries a profound sense of duty towards his Black, Latinx, and immigrant communities, viewing art as a powerful means of expression and empowerment. His large-scale paintings serve as visual narratives, capturing not only the historical and political dimensions of his subjects but also their emotional and personal stories. From traditional portraiture to contemporary genre scenes, Vasquez depicts individuals with intersecting identities, including black, immigrant, mulatto, Afro-Latinx, and Latinx, challenging conventional notions of American identity. He is deeply aware of the historical context of Western representation and seeks to offer accurate portrayals of the Dominican Republic's complex histories, while also crafting allegorical narratives that delve into the psychological states of his subjects and provide viewers with insights into their daily lives.
 
Vasquez has exhibited in institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art in Brooklyn, NY; El Museo del Barrio in NY; the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture in Charlotte, NC; and the Urban Institute of Contemporary Art in MI. Vasquez has recently been added to the collection of the Newark Museum of Art. His artistic endeavors have been supported by prestigious grants such as the Odyssey Travel Grant from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Mare Residency at SunSpot Studios with MICA in Baltimore. Vasquez's work has garnered attention in notable publications such as The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Artnet News, Forbes, W Magazine, CNN, Office Magazine, and Galerie Magazine. He holds a BFA in painting and drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and earned his MFA in painting and drawing from Columbia University in 2021. Vasquez currently lives and works in New Jersey.
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