MAPR, Puerto Rico, presents “Fallout” by Gamaliel Rodríguez

In “Fallout”, Rodríguez’s point of departure is a U.S. program implemented in Puerto Rico to create a series of shelters intended to protect citizens in the eventuality of a military air attack or a possible nuclear explosion.

Today, these spaces are abandoned and inoperable. Some, however, may be coated with lead walls to prevent nuclear radiation, but endanger the health of people in surrounding areas.

"Gamaliel’s innovative work, in which a virtuoso mastery of drawing takes center stage, provoking the viewers’ questions of a highly social comment. His talent has been showcased beyond the Island’s shores through exhibitions in Spain, Mexico, England, Norway, Holland and the United States,” said Lourdes Ramos Ph.D., MAPR’s Executive Director.

Gamaliel's work focuses on the study of Social Realism and current events, such as consumerism, political warfare, psychological and social sciences, among others.

"I define my social realism in terms of the conditions to which the general public is faced every day, as health systems, currency devaluations, immigration, emigration, etc., but above all, as it can be seen from the artistic approach and how societies react to these circumstances. My ideas are encouraged by the concepts of re -appropriation, re-interpretation and possible deconstruction of messages based on the analysis of semiotics,” said the artist.

As usual, the MAPR Education Department has developed a series of interpretive and educational activities, including lectures and workshops with the artist, to be held throughout the exhibition.

Gamaliel Rodríguez was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico in 1977. Has a Bachelor degree in Visual Arts from the Sacred Heart University in Puerto Rico. Completed a MFA at the Kent Institute of Art and Design in Kent, England and in 2011 participated in the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Skowhegan, ME. He has received multiple awards and residencies, including the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) NYC and National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, MacDowell Colony NH in 2013. In 2012, Gamaliel was part of the FUTURA Centre for Contemporary Art International Residency Program in Prague and The Leon Levy Foundation Grant, The MacDowell Fellowship and Pollock - Krasner Foundation Grant. In 2011, he received the UBS Emerging Artist Award and The Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture Scholarship.