Portfolio

A portfolio of recent and relevant works by Joseph Kattou

Diasporican Altar

(2023)

Resin, cloth, paint, wood, coconut fiber, plastic, gold

20’ x 2’ x 8’

The central altar of an installation surrounding themes of neocolonialism mirroring the crucifiction of christ using traditional Puerto Rican symbols and motifs

Smiling Vejigante

(2022)

Resin, Paint, Corn husk

36” x 38” x 11’’

A Vejigante made in the Loiza style, yet instead of traditional coconut carving, modern materials such as resin stand in for tradition.

Sol Y Playa

(2022)

Wood, steel, Magnet, tape, flag, beach sand

3’ x 3’ x 3’2’

An abstract work made of construction debris in response to the illegal beach construction that is rampant in Puerto Rico

Exported Diaspora

(2023)

Resin, Coconut Fiber, Paint, ink, Bubble wrap, shipping crate

24’’ x 24’’ x 36’’

Part of a larger collection of works featuring unique vejigantes as symbols of diaspora.

Flor de muerte Tryptich

(2022)
Silver Halide prints
11’’x 14’’ (each)

Based on a Taino skull carving and the national flower of Puerto Rico the Flor de Maga a sentinel of death and life.

Rican-struction

(2019)

Gold, Paper towel, Wood, Debris, News Projection

15’ x 12’ x 5’

A work made in direct response to hurricane maria, specifically when disgraced former president Donald Trump withheld aid to Puerto Rico intentionally while making a patronizing appearance to throw paper towels.

Taino heart jug

(2019)

ceramic, glaze, gold

20"x18"x7"

A Jug based on a Taino vessel that has been compressed under weight and engraved with modern and indigenous Puerto Rican motifs.

Frustration Vejigante

(2022)

Ceramic, Soda Ash firing

12"x12"x6"

A ceramic Vejigante that has been created by gripping the clay and pulling frustration out until it took form, then fired in an unpredictable soda ash firing.

LUMApagon

(2023)

Resin, cloth, rope, shipping pallet, mannequin, paint, 3d printed power infrastructure

3’ x 4’ x 7’

A Vejigante with a rubberized suit, LUMA power company logo mask and power towers, protesting the seizure of the Puerto RIcan Power Grid by Canadian company LUMA

AirBNBeast

(2023)

3D printed horns, resin, bedsheets, faux rose petals, mannequin, shipping palette

3’ x 4’ x 6’5’’

A Vejigante emblazoned with the AirBNB corporate logo, a company who contributes to an ongoing housing crisis, displacing Locals and opening them up to the dangers of sex tourism and exploitation.

Sol Y Playa Vejigante

(2023)

Resin, emergency tarps,, shipping pallet, mannequin, paint, 3d printed horns, beach sand

3’ x 4’ x 6’5’’

A Vejigante with a suit made from a familiar sight to hurricane ravaged Puerto Ricans, FEMA tarps. The mask is made of beach sand from colonized beaches

Sick Buncha Cococnuts

(2023)

Resin cast plantains, Coconut shells, cast coconut fiber, paint, raffia, bubble wrap mannequin, shipping palette

3’ x 4’ x 6’5’’

A Vejigante made out of the part of the coconut that is typically discarded in the traditional Vejigante process mutated and stuck together with plantains, another staple crop tied closely to Puerto Rican Identity.

Oye Maria

(2023)

Resin, cloth, rope, shipping pallet, mannequin, paint, gold

3’ x 4’ x 6’5’’

A Vejigante with the face and halo of the typical depictions of the virgin mary seen on the island, however this Mary has decayed and sticks a silver leafed tongue representing social stagnation brought on by colonialist ideals rooted in the institution.

A Family Company

(2023)

Resin, Hazmat suit, Medical gloves, shipping pallet, mannequin, paint, Syringes, Moving Blankets

3’ x 4’ x 6’5’’

A Vejigante made out of syringes and medical equipment, the top post industrial export in Puerto Rico, one that creates severe environmental consequences while returning little to the people.