Arnaldo Roche-Rabell

Interpretation 

This painting depicts a dark-skinned man whose eyes are distinctly rendered in blue and yellow on the left and red and orange on the right. The flock of birds obscuring his face symbolizes the spirit of the colony referenced in the title, or the communities in Puerto Rico, the artist’s native land. The birds also represent the artist’s Afro-Caribbean ancestors, whose identities are often left in the margins. By scraping and layering paint, Roche-Rabell reveals the depths of color that are characteristic of his practice. These textures express pride in his heritage and embody revelations of belonging and homecoming.

–Gabrielle Walker, Nancy Elizabeth Prophet Curatorial Assistant

Acquisition details

This is one of 269 works—including the Wifredo Lam painting at the far left—that the RISD Museum has acquired since 1966 as part of its Nancy Sayles Day Collection of Modern Latin American Art. Nancy Sayles Day (1905–1964) was a Rhode Island artist and supporter of the arts.

Funds that focus on acquiring works made in a particular region or by artists of a specific cultural identity have become less prevalent in recent years, as artists often move elsewhere and/or resist nationalistic associations.

–Dominic Molon, Richard Brown Baker Curator of Contemporary Art