Raelis Vasquez

Raelis Vasquez (b. 1995, Mao Valverde, Dominican Republic) explores historical, political, and personal narratives through painting, capturing the textures of daily life and the lived realities of Afro-Latinx communities. Drawing from his own photographs and family archives, Vasquez creates works rooted in care and attentiveness, using gestural brushwork and color to convey vulnerability, resilience, and memory.

Having immigrated to the U.S. in 2002, he addresses themes of migration, belonging, and diasporic identity, depicting individuals with intersecting identities, Black, Latinx, Afro-Latinx, to challenge reductive notions of American identity. Engaging with portraiture and history painting, Vasquez reclaims these forms to center Caribbean and diaspora stories, creating visual narratives that honor everyday life while acknowledging its historical and political dimensions. His work fosters visibility, reflection, and connection, inviting communities to see themselves represented with dignity and nuance.