El recuerdo es erosión (Memory is erosion)
Kilómetro, San Juan, 2023

What do we see in a familiar image once it's transformed? What do we find that is still ours?

El recuerdo es erosión (“Memory is erosion”) is comprised of some of Daniel Pabón Velázquez’s earliest experimentations with “photo-painting”. The compositions in this series are staggered, with no apparent narrative connecting them to one another. Rather, they focus on format, technique and the spectator’s gaze (or rather their ability to recognize their own memories). 

Text by Cleo León Ricart

Painting featuring textured surface with pink, red, yellow, black, and purple colors, with splatters and brushstrokes.

Patio, c. 1985
Oil and beeswax on canvas
10 ¼” x 10”

Textured painting with swirls of yellow, pink, and brown colors and layered, textured brushstrokes.

Carraíso, c. 1977
Oil and beeswax on canvas
11 ½” x 12 ¼”

Textured, pinkish-brown painting with two young girls.

El Mundo, Río Piedras, c. 1960
Oil and beeswax on canvas
10” x 13 ¼”

A painting with purple, yellow and brown tones, featuring textured brushstrokes.

Portaviones, c.1982
Oil and beeswax on canvas
10” x 13 ¼”

Painting with swirling patterns in shades of brown, yellow and green.

Guánica, c. 1976‍ ‍
Oil and beeswax on canvas
14” x 11 ½”

Textured painting showing a woman with dark hair holding a child.

Abuela, c. 1992
Oil and beeswax canvas
13 ½” x 11 ½”

Painting with textured brushstrokes in shades of brown, black, and white.

Remanente, c. 1990
Oil and beeswax on canvas
13 ½” x 12 ½”

Painting with earthy tones of yellow, brown and purple, featuring textured brushstrokes. A hand holding a cigarette is placed right above three children wearing birthday hats.

Cumpleaños con cigarrillo, c. 1975
Oil and beeswax on canvas
16” x 15”

Dark textured painting with patches of yellow, white and red.

Escondite, c. 2020
Oil and beeswax on canvas
16” x 14 ½”