About the work

This Art Print is part of a pair - consider pairing it with Dinner For One. My objective with these is not only to bring warmth into people's homes but also to evoke a positive feeling when they look at it, one that reminds them of positive memories that usually happen around a table with some good food. As mentioned in the challenge’s brief, the world is undergoing a tumultuous time and part of the dilemma refers to a social crisis in human relationships. New generations like mine, are focusing on individuality and screen time, therefore leaving aside relationships, family, and engagement. This has manifested as a mental health crisis worldwide. My art is a suggestion to look back and reflect on why and what interpersonal relationships bring to us. In both my cultures, Mexican and Dominican, we have a fascinating concept called “sobremesa” which could be translated as: after-dinner conversations. Once we are done eating, the plates are dirty and sitting on the table, but the conversation can get so deep and connecting that no one really cares. Relationships are built at this time, maybe even deeper ones than at other circumstances. At “sobremesa” we share memories, but most importantly we build our futures, we discuss our ideas, construct our values, and shape who we will become. My paintings try to portray this by inviting the viewer to reminisce, but also attempt to build towards the future and crave these connections. With Minted’s mission in mind, technology as a tool to impulse international creativity, I illustrated a very traditional and old-fashioned concept, but in a modern and eclectic way. We’ve all had still life paintings in our own home or our grandparent’s home, ones that we probably witnessed get old and dusty, but they have a value to us, they represent something. Specifically, food still life, has something relatable to them, something that appeals to our memory and makes us feel warm. Of course, not forgetting that food is beautiful at sight, but also translates to different values and ideas across all cultures. With my illustrations I am trying to blend modernity in terms of digital techniques that push my skills to the maximum and also allow me to reproduce my work an infinite number of times in order to get it as far as possible. I am also trying to attract a new generation, a generation that is craving new things and also wanting to hold onto things with value and profundity. Dinner for One and Dinner for Two are invitations to reflect on where we come from, what we are made of, but most importantly, what we are building towards the future. These two illustrations intentionally show a single sitting and two sittings. Dinner for One puts emphasis in creating a healthy and solid relationship with ourselves, while Dinner for Two invites us to establish relationships and engage with the ones around us.