QUIMBARA, 2023, mid-fire stoneware, clamps, plexi pedestal, 3.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 ft
This mid-fire, slab built ceramic tower piece materializes the word quimbara, also known as the song by salsa legends, Cuban singer Celia Cruz & Dominican musician Johnny Pacheco. The word is ambiguous in its official definition and always leads to the song, however, quimbara can also be known as a phonetic representation of what a drum sounds like, explains a feeling, and in my case is a sort of an anthem of home not rooted in place. The sculpture is a homage to the words rich ambiguity.