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Explore Vejigante Artist
Explore the diversity of contemporary Vejigante art with us. Discover the exhibition that will leave you inspired.
Vejigante Masks
What is a Vejigante ?
- The vejigante is a centuries old gargoyle-like representation which first appeared in celebrations as far back as in Gothic Spain, and, eventually spread throughout the Spanish empire to other Latin American countries.
- Vejigantes were originally seen during Carnival and were intended to scare the general public back to atten
- The vejigante is a centuries old gargoyle-like representation which first appeared in celebrations as far back as in Gothic Spain, and, eventually spread throughout the Spanish empire to other Latin American countries.
- Vejigantes were originally seen during Carnival and were intended to scare the general public back to attending church during the Lenten season and to scare evil spirits away. It represents the struggle between good and evil. This is contrary to the notion that it represents something purely satanic.
- Vejigantes can take the form of grotesque dragons or animals. Unlike the diablito. in certain traditional religious oriented celebrations in Spain, in which the devil is the center of attention and is pelted mercilessly with produce, some of it rotten, as a sense of punishment. The Vejigante is not devil imagery. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The Vejigante's mission is to scare away the Devil and other evil spirits.
- The Puerto Rican style Vejigante mask is made primarily of paper mache, or, the outer coconut husk. In Puerto Rico, the vejigante mask has been further influenced by the African and Taino Indian cultures. This can be seen in the carnival mask making tradition incorporated in the Vejigante masks carved from the outer shell of coconuts by artisans in Loiza. Along with continuing to be seen during Carnival, The name “Vejigante” comes from the balloon-like object that is traditionally carried to playfully strike spectators. It was originally a cow’s “vejiga” , which is Spanish for “bladder”. The bladder was inflated, dried, and could be filled with pellets, so as to make noise. It is a folk tradition that has been mentioned as far back as in 17th century Spain when Cervantes wrote “Don Quixote”. Today, the bladder has been mostly replaced by a plastic balloon. Once an island wide sight in Puerto Rico during festivities prior to Lent, Vejigantes are now mainly seen at 3 major festivals there: The Festival of the Masks in Hatillo, The Festival of Santiago Apostol in Loiza, and Carnaval in Ponce. They also appear in the mainland “Fiestas Patronales” celebrated by the diaspora community of Puerto Ricans living in places like New York City, Chicago, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, and elsewhere a high concentration of Puerto Ricans are living. As of 2011, there are at least 1 million MORE Puerto Ricans living “afuera”, or, “ outside of the island of Puerto Rico”, than are living in the island of Puerto Rico itself.
Commissions Welcomed
Personal input such as choice of colors, size, and style will be considered.
Limited production
Limited production
Own an original contemporary vejigante mask
Juan Roman Resume
Juan M Roman Jr.
ARTIST STATEMENT
As a Puerto Rican born artist raised in Chicago, I’ve managed to preserve a cultural foothold in both worlds. This, of course, is made easier by regularly visiting the island, and, also by being a 1st generation mainland “ Rican “.
In the reality of globalization, the challenge, at this time, becomes:
How do you preserve the Puerto Rican culture and advance it for the succeeding generations, or, any other culture for that matter, in mainland America?
In the age of texting, tweeting, and email as a dominant form of
communication, It has become even more important to make time for non-electronic personal interaction and communication that is engaging, pleasant, and enjoyable. The viewing of art with someone else is an easy, gratifying way of balancing this.
My goal is to bring the traditional Vejigante mask into a 21st century Puerto Rican expression of art. I make traditional and contemporary style Puerto Rican Vejigante carnival masks. In addition, I create other multimedia art that is an expression of ideas and occurrences that have affected me as a human being, whether positively or negatively, and have compelled me to form an opinion and express it visually through art. I also strongly believe that the arts are important, and mentoring, especially our children, is a way to preserve our various cultural and artistic traditions.
Exhibitions and Workshops
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture
Vejigante Mask Making Workshop
Chicago, Illinois
Feb 10, 2024
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture
Resilience: Group Exhibition
Chicago, Illinois
Nov 2023 - Feb 2024
Hispanic Heritage Month Group Exhibition
Anatomically Correct
Venue: Devonshire Cultural Center
Skokie, Illinois
Oct 1 - 30, 2023
Vejigante Mask Making
Kipp One Academy
After School Club
Sep-Dec., 2022
Hispaninic Heritage Month
Vejigante Mask Making
Live Art Demonstration
Vernon, Illinois Public Library
October 15, 2022
Courage: Art by 1st Responders
Anatomically Correct
Venue: Devonshire Cultural Center
Skokie, Illinois
March 1 - April 3, 2022
Hispanic Heritage Month Art Exhibition
Gage Gallery at Roosevelt University
425 S Wabash Ave., Chicago, Illinois
2 Masks in group exhibition
September 15 - October 6, 2021
" Theatrum Mundi" a book by Anthony Alan Shelton.
Pictures of 2 of my masks, and, of me working on a current one Included in this 2021 published book on Latin American masks.
2019
Day of the Dead Exhibition
Anatomically Correct
Venue: Devonshire Cultural Center
Skokie, Illinois
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (NMPRAC)
Chicago, Illinois
Barrio Arts Fest 2019
July 13-14, 2019
Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
20th Anniversary year
Solo Exhibition of Vejigante masks, Photography, & Drawings
October-December 2018
Museum of Anthropology
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, Canada
2017
2nd Vejigante Mask in the museum collection
search "vejigante"
1st Annual Bombazo Navideno
Humboldt Park Field House
1440 N Sacramento Ave.
Chicago, Illinois
December 10, 2016
1st Annual Hermosa Festival
Venue: Kelvyn Park
4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.
Chicago, Illinois
August 1, 2015
16th Annual National Cuatro Festival
Venue: Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Artisan table: Vejigante Masks and ornaments
Chicago, Illinois
November 8, 2014
Commission Mask along with an additional mask
in the collection at the World Music Venue “Meridian 23”
161 W 23rd St., New York, NY
2014
Milwaukee Ave. Art Fest (MAAF)
Venue: Popup Gallery sponsored by PRAA
2777N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago (Formerly Young Shoes)
June 28-30, 2013
Skokie Art Walk
Venue: Libertad Restaurant
7931 Lincoln Ave.
May 1-31, 2013
2nd Annual Navi-Arts
Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (IPRAC)
December 1-2, 2012
Barrio Artfest 2012
Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (IPRAC)
September 2012
Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA)
Humboldt Park Field House Exhibit Site
Chicago, Illinois
Paper Mache Vejigante Carnival Masks
Jan - April 2012
Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA)
Studio Arts Project
Vejigante Maskmaking Class (Grammer School Students)
Fall 2011
6th Annual Highland Park Artwalk 2011
Highland Park, Illinois
June 1-30, 2011
Museum of Anthropology
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, Canada
2011
Vejigante Mask in the online collection
search "vejigante"
5th Little Village Art Festival
Chicago, IL
October 1-3, 2010
Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (IPRAC)
Barriofest 2010
Venue: Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
August 2010
Chicago, IL
1st Annual Southport Art Walk
Venue: Repose Interior Design Studio
3544 N Southport Ave., Chicago
July 1-31, 2010
Norwood Crossing 2009 Fall Art Show
November/December 2009
Chicago, IL
Andersonville Arts & Home Weekend
Venue: The Paper Trail
October 2009
Chicago, IL
Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (IPRAC)
Barriofest 2009
Venue: Humboldt Park Field House
August 2009
Chicago, IL
Chicago Children’s Museum
Venue: Community Artist’s Marketplace, Navy Pier
Chicago, IL
October 16, 2008
Portage Park Arts & Craft Fair
Portage Park
Chicago, IL
2008
Institute of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (IPRAC)
Barriofest 2008
Venue: Humboldt Park Field House
August 2008
Chicago, IL
Andersonville Art Weekend
Venue: The Paper Trail
October 2008
Chicago, IL
Andersonville Art Weekend
Venue: The Paper Trail
October 2007
Chicago, IL
Andersonville Art Weekend
Venue: The Paper Trail
Chicago, Illinois
October 2006