Orlando Meléndez
Bio
Orlando Melendez was born in Aibonito Puerto Rico on February 1988. Graduated from the Escuela de Artes Plásticas of Puerto Rico where he earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic art on 2011. Has participated in multiple group exhibitions. His work its highlighted by the integration of multiple techniques such as photograph, drawing, painting and graphic design with which aims to explore issues such as the existence and loneliness among others. The rescue of images using everyday objects, allow the viewer introspection, achieving in a reinterpretation of the work. The color manipulation of objects and the use of a particular color palette allows an essentially different aesthetic appreciation to the viewer.
Statement
My work is an invitation to pause, reflect, and connect with everyday objects that hold the essence of our cultural identity. With vibrant colors inspired by the tropics, I explore themes of existence and solitude, combining techniques like drawing, painting, and graphic design. Through these methods, I seek to reinterpret familiar objects, transforming them with bold color choices and a unique palette that gives them new life and meaning.
In each piece, I aim to create a modern still life that carries echoes of Puerto Rican heritage, merging traditional symbols with a contemporary POP aesthetic. Objects like orchids, bananas, and coffee makers are given new personalities, prompting viewers to question their familiar forms and colors. I want my work to encourage viewers to slow down, engage deeply, and find new perspectives within the everyday. Each color choice is intentional, often subverting expectations to spark curiosity—why a red plantain instead of green? My hope is that this reimagining of everyday items allows for an introspective experience, where viewers can find both resonance and surprise.
2.5 x 4m / 98.4 x 157 in
