@soybaco : Water No Get Enemy

 



                                            "Derecho de patronato "

Acrílico sobre canvas




Jean “Baco” Ortiz: Art, Identity, and the Influence of the South


Visual artist Jean “Baco” Ortiz has built his career drawing inspiration from his hometown, La Cuarta de Tierra, in Capitanejo, Ponce. Growing up in a community where Afro-Caribbean culture was deeply rooted, he was influenced by the annual festival of Afro-Caribbean music, local community leaders, and later, his university professors. These influences are now reflected in his work. zi collaborated with him for "Arte en el meollo" a cultural event of poetry ,music , art and films. At Cafelao, Ponce, Puerto Rico.


Despite feeling at a disadvantage for coming from the southern region of Puerto Rico, Ortiz used this as motivation to stand out in the visual arts field. 


His mission is to give visibility to the South and emphasize that Afro-Caribbean aesthetics are not exclusive to Santurce and Loíza—there is also a rich cultural dialogue with the African diaspora in the South. With this vision, he applied to the artist-in-residence program at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR), which supports contemporary visual artists by providing resources to develop and showcase their projects.


Ortiz was selected for the residency, which led to the exhibition of his work at the museum. His project, El agua no tiene enemigos (Water Has No Enemies), explores the environmental and social impact of urban development on communities, particularly the effects of river engineering projects that have led to flooding in neighborhoods like La Cuarta de Tierra. Inspired by the 2017 hurricanes and climate change, the exhibition invites reflection on water as a vital and sacred element that must be protected. 

Central to the artwork is a female figure, often depicted floating in the water, with long hair, dark skin, and a meditative expression—an homage to Mami Wata, a water deity venerated in various African and Afro-Caribbean spiritual traditions.


The title of the exhibition is taken from the song Water No Get Enemy by Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti, further reinforcing the connection between Afro-Caribbean culture and the broader African diaspora. Looking ahead, Ortiz plans to explore murals and three-dimensional art, continuing to expand his creative expression and the narratives he brings to life.

In essence : "The artwork in question , focuses on the tragic displacement suffered by the community, which ultimately led to the death of Adolfina. The Church, exerting its power and invoking the “Right of Patronage” to build a residence for the Archbishop of San Juan, used the full force of the law to remove Adolfina from her home, resulting in her being killed. Just weeks after her assassination, the house was demolished, and Adolfina’s family was only able to recover a window with eight bullet holes—concrete evidence that the shots came from a police officer’s weapon."

-ER

*******




References:



Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. (2025). Jean “Baco” Ortiz: El agua no tiene enemigos. Retrieved from https://www.mapr.org/en/visit/calendar/jean-baco-ortiz-el-agua-no-tiene-enemigos


Revista Plástica. (2025). El agua no tiene enemigos. Retrieved from https://www.revistaplasticapr.org/event-details/el-agua-no-tiene-enemigos


Teatro LATEA. (2025). Fuego & Blues - Teatro LATEA. Retrieved from https://teatrolatea.org/portfolio-item/fuego-blues/


Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. (2025). La exhibición “El agua no tiene enemigos” de Jean “Baco” Ortiz. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/MuseoMAPR/posts/la-exhibici%C3%B3n-el-agua-no-tiene-enemigos-de-jean-bacoortiz-el-proyecto-final-de-l/1049875440517748/


Boriken Podcast. (2025). Artist Spotlight: @soybaco El artista residente del Museo de Arte. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/borikenpodcast/reel/DCRctnLSlAS/


 PUCPR. (2025). Del barrio La Cuarta en Ponce al Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico: Baco Ortiz, artista. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/PUCPR1/videos/del-barrio-la-cuarta-en-ponce-al-museo-de-arte-de-puerto-rico-baco-ortiz-artista/531326076414724/


El Vocero de Puerto Rico. (2025). Jean “Baco” Ortiz presenta la exposición El agua no tiene enemigos en el Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. Retrieved from https://www.threads.net/%40voceropr/post/DHGNxbJu90L/jean-baco-ortiz-presenta-la-exposici%C3%B3n-el-agua-no-tiene-enemigos-en-el-museo-de-





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