Coffee picker
In this textile installation, I pay tribute to the coffee pickers of 19th-century Puerto Rico, drawing inspiration from the masterpieces of visual artist Francisco Oller. The installation specifically celebrates the pivotal role played by women in this labor-intensive task, highlighting their unpaid and often overlooked contributions. Despite Puerto Rico's rise as the world's seventh-largest coffee producer during that era, coffee picking was not recognized as an official occupation in the 19th century. Through this artwork, I aim to shed light on the historical significance of these women and their crucial yet undervalued role in shaping Puerto Rico's coffee industry. This art installation was a collaborative effort with other Puerto Rican artists. We drew inspiration from Francisco Oller's painting 'El velorio'. My contribution to this collaboration is this textile installation, which resonates with the untold stories of these remarkable women and the rich heritage of our land.