Oliver Rios

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Born from Puerto Rican parents and raised in East Harlem, Oliver Rios is a visual artist who is committed to raising awareness. His innovative and artistic technique empowers his creativity daily. He was inspired by The Hip Hop culture in the late 1970’s and spray can art in the 1980’s. Oliver continues to document the changing neighborhood of El Barrio with the use of traditional and digital photography.

Featured Artwork

"Arte Y Identidad," "The New Museum," "Student ID," This artwork is designed in the shape and colors of the Grito de Lares Flag. Inside the coordinated colors of the flag there is graffiti, faces of religious and revolutionary figures and text pasted onto the cardboard. — Oliver Rios. Arte Y Identidad (Art and Identity) - Oliver Rios ©2022, 20x30 mixed media on cardboard. Featured on VOCES American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos.

"This photo of Marcos Dimas was taken October 28, 2023 at Taller Boricua. I photographed Marcos sketching the band performing a jam session in the gallery." - Oliver Rios. — Oliver Rios. Marcos sketching at Taller Boricua. Digital Photography. Photo: Oliver Rios ©2023

Lydia Roman celebrating Mother's Day at La Fonda Restaurant. Behind her is a photo of Lydia with her Granddaughter Isabella Rios. — Oliver Rios. Lydia Roman at La Fonda, 2023. Digital Photography. Image courtesy of the artist © Oliver Rios.

A watercolor-style colorful collage of Oliver Rios' work. "Elevating El Barrio." — Oliver Rios. Elevating El Barrio, 2024. Postcard, 4"x6". Image copyright by Oliver Rios.

Resources

Official LinkedIn for Oliver Rios

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One of Nation's Foremost Afro-Latino Centers Gets a New Home - By Kristina Puga (2016)

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A Visit to Home, Memory, and Future at Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute’s (CCCADI) New East Harlem Home (2017)

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