Sandra Ramos From the series Migraciones II (From the series Migrations II) 1994
© Sandra Ramos
The series Migrations II is one of the first for which artist Sandra Ramos is known. In the first half of the nineties, when economic desperation led Cubans to throw themselves into the sea in search of new shores, the artist was concerned with the consequences of this rupture. She realized works that described the loss of families and friends through separation or death, among other evils of the times. Her suitcases are part of this series. Ramos metaphorically asks herself what it is to leave on a trip of no return. It is a quest of identity, a reconsideration of her life’s legacy and ultimately of her priorities.
This oil painting on an empty suitcase carries Ramos’ reflection on the experience of Cuban education and indoctrination. Like deities, the heads of José Martí, Ernesto Ché Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos, the main heroes worshipped by the Cuban Revolution, occupy the highest place among the clouds, on the lid of the suitcase while other revolutionary references are painted on the sides. In the bottom part of the suitcase, at the center of the composition, Ramos places her self-portrait as a ghost child wearing the Cuban school uniform. Other figures surround this image floating among the clouds—a baby girl, the map of Cuba, her first reading book and a family house, which is the only object touching the ground. Reinforcing the visuals, loose words are painted to look as if they are emerging from the mouth of a child who wants to assert what she has learned. This style contrasts with the tragic nature of the subject and suggests Ramos’ disbelief in her reality.
Identification
Title
From the series Migraciones II (From the series Migrations II)
Production Date
1994
Object Number
2017.175
Credit Line
Collection Pérez Art Museum Miami, gift of Jorge M. Pérez
Copyright
© Sandra Ramos
https://www.pamm.org/en/artwork/2017.175
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Physical Qualities
Medium
Mixed media
Dimensions
Open: 20 x 24 1/2 x 18 inches
Visual Description
“Migrations II” From the series Migraciones, by Sandra Ramos is a mixed media piece from 1994. It measures twenty inches by twenty-four and a half inches by eighteen inches.
The piece is made of a suitcase with various images inside.
The suitcase sits open viewed from above emphasizing the absence of objects that would occupy its interior. Beginning from the top left corner the heads of José Martí, Ernesto Ché Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos, the main heroes worshipped by the Cuban Revolution, occupy the highest place among the clouds. Two Cuban flags wave from the sides of Jose Marti’s head like pig tales, bands of light shoot from behind Ernesto Che with the words Guerrillero handwritten in the center while two fishes swim around Camilo Cienfuegos like yin and yang. The elastic band at the top of the pocket that carries socks or toiletries separates the heads from the rest of the paintings creating a makeshift horizon line. Ruffles from the drapery of the pocket fold over painted clouds leading us down to the bottom of the case. An A sits pressed to the left corner that points to a floating island in the clouds labeled “mapa”. On the other leg of the A begins a sequence of waves that lap against a boy in a rowboat flying a Cuban flag. “El ninito se fue en el barquito” overlays the boat and waves. A plane flies in the opposite direction of the boy in the boat while a hotel resort towers over the horizon line of waves closest to the right corner of the case. An “E” wraps around the inner edge of the right-side hovering above “el cielo” and a whispy depiction of a girl in a red dress made up of clouds. Under this angel-like figure sits a baby on a cloud labeled “El Nube”. At the ground level is a house with lush plants and two familiar faces peering out the windows as if waiting for someone’s return. “Mama, Papa, Familia” overlaps the scene as warm smoke trickles into “el cielo”.
