Adriana Cruz

ARTIST STATEMENT

As a graphic designer, my journey is fueled by a passion for exploring the vibrant layers of identity, culture, and belief that shape who we are. As a Dominican, I am deeply connected to my culture, country, and religion. These are not separate threads, but tightly woven elements of my identity that continue to guide and inspire me. For my exhibition “Sacred Horizons”, I am showcasing the spiritual traditions of my home country, the Dominican Republic. This series is a visual exploration of the intricate relationship between Dominican Vudú and Catholicism. I chose to use the language of tarot to tell a story about spiritual practices that are often left unspoken due to the fear of negativity associated with cultural misunderstandings. Through this series, I wanted to shift the focus toward honoring these traditions and highlighting their beauty and strength.

I’ve reinvented spiritual symbols and deities that have deep cultural value through the use of the well-known design of tarot cards. Each lwa (which means spirit) is entwined with a Catholic saint. This relationship narrates a potent tale of cultural fusion and historical resiliency. I experimented with how graphic design can reveal histories of resistance masquerading as piety by recomposing these icons using layered imagery and bold color schemes.

This series serves not only as a heartfelt tribute to the spiritual heritage of my people but also as an invitation to engage in dialogue about how design can weave together the seen and unseen, the ancestral and the contemporary. I hope that viewers will see each card as both an artifact and an argument, acknowledging an invitation to reevaluate the location of the sacred and how cultures are always reimagining it.