A National Initiative to Rethink Afro and Afro-Descendant Art in Puerto Rico and Beyond
As museums continue to grapple with their role in perpetuating structural racism, a groundbreaking initiative called Tiznando el País: Visualities and Representations is paving the way for a new approach. This national and transnational project brings together museums, community organizations, artists, and scholars to challenge existing narratives of Afro and Afro-descendant art in Puerto Rico and its diaspora.
Running from 2023 to 2026, Tiznando el País involves close to thirty entities in Puerto Rico and US cities with significant Puerto Rican communities. Through a series of exhibitions, workshops, seminars, and cultural programs rooted in anti-racist and decolonial perspectives, the initiative aims to spark dialogue and reflection on the representation of Afro-descendant art.
The initiative features exhibitions showcasing the works of Afro-descendant and diasporic artists, as well as innovative programs like the Intensive Seminar for Emerging Curators, the audiovisual project GRIOT 2124, and a digital repository for documenting and amplifying these artistic practices.
Leading the charge is the Puerto Rican Alliance of Museums, in partnership with the University of Puerto Rico, which plays a pivotal role in the initiative’s implementation. The alliance provides crucial support in resource management, technical advising, training, and community outreach, ensuring that the project goes beyond mere exhibition to instigating lasting changes in museum practices.
Tiznando el País sees art as a powerful tool for memory and justice. By challenging the myth of racial harmony in Puerto Rico and creating space for alternative narratives crafted by Afro-descendant communities, the initiative aims to drive social and cultural transformation. It offers a blueprint for museums to become proactive agents of change, advocating for genuine inclusion and participation.
For more information about Tiznando el País, visit tiznandoelpais.org.
