The Vejigantes collection reinterprets the traditional Vejigante through a contemporary lens, translating its powerful symbolism into sculptural metal. Inspired by the Puerto Rican celebrations of the Fiestas de Santiago Apóstol in Loíza and the Carnaval de Ponce, these pieces honor Afro-Caribbean heritage while projecting it into the present. Each mask embodies a cultural memory transformed into wearable art.
"Toñita" is a vejigante mask built upon the traditional structure of Ponce, created as a tribute to Antonia Martinez, a student at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras who was assassinated in 1970 by a police officer during student protest against the presence of the ROTC in the campus. Her case remains unresolved.
Through this piece, the vejigante becomes not only a folkloric figure, but a vessel of memory- honoring youth, resistance, and the enduring call for justice.
Materials: Brass Wire, crystals
"El Bufón" is a vejigante mask inspired by hte traditional masks of Carnaval de Ponce, Puerto Rico. With its tongue extended, the piece embraces the mischievous, irreverent spirit of the vejigante- a character that exists between satire and spectacle.
Rather than portraying menace alone, "El Bufón" leans into mockery and play. It embodies the trickster archetype: playful yet defiant, theatrical yet rooted in folklore.
Materials: Brass Wire, Hematite, Vintage Beads
Madre Coco is a mask that comes from the idea of protection and origin. I created it thinking about the coast, the sea, and how natural materials carry memory. It is built from wire and complemented with metal and elements that evoke shells and marine textures, giving it a solid presence without losing lightness. While its look can remind one of armor, the intention is not about conflict, but about safeguard and strength. In this piece, the face remains visible and becomes part of the mask, allowing the wearer to engage directly with the work. Madre Coco presents itself as a firm and luminous figure, holding delicacy and strength in the same gesture.
Materials: Bronze Wire, Bronze Sheet, Swarovski Crystals, Crystals Drops, Coconut Beads, Shells.