islotes (which translates to «small islands» in English) explores the intervention to my family’s archival photographs using sand, a natural material sourced from a politically charged location. While recovering these photographs from multiple generations back home, I simultaneously researched the formation of islands, particularly archipelagos—a cluster of islands close to each other at the surface but interconnected beneath the water.
Adding layers of sand to the subjects in the photographs, including myself and family members at different stages of their lives back in Puerto Rico, I abstract their bodies with sand until a topography or islote is formed from their silhouettes. Through this intervention, I create a connection that transcends temporality, geography, and context.
islotes, 2024-Present
Set of eleven (11) chromogenic prints with sand mounds on wooden table
Dimensions variable
From left to right, top to bottom: (1) islotes (perpetual vaivén; empty plane to Florida), 2024, Sand mound on chromogenic print, 10 5/8 x 15 5/8 in; (2) islotes (la muchachita Ramos; Mami’s 6th grade photo), 2024, Sand on chromogenic print, 6.5 x 4 15/16 in; (3) islotes (the sand bears witness; Abuela Monse at the Vega Baja beach), 2024, Sand on chromogenic print, 9 5/8 x 8 in; (4) islotes (their other became their bond; Kevin & Keishla on a hammock), 2024, Sand mound on chromogenic print, 7 15/16 x 11 1/5 in; (5) islotes (a hurricane grows inside her; Mami pregnant), 2024, Sand mound on chromogenic print, 6 x 4 in; (6) islotes (Doña Fe; Kevin and Abuela), 2024, Sand on chromogenic print, 4 x 6 in; (7) islotes (an elegant lady; Abuela sitting in front of unknown location), 2024, Sand mound on chromogenic print, 6 x 4 in; (8) islotes (en el campo; Titi Nancy in Almirante Sur), 2024, Sand on chromogenic print, 5 5/8 x 4 3/16 in; (9) islotes (into this cocoon I crept; Kevin’s 3rd grade photo), 2024, Sand mound on chromogenic print, 4 3/16 x 3 3/16 in; (10) islotes (cordillera central; Mami, Tatuta, Abuela, Titi Nancy and Titi Mimi on New Year’s Eve), 2024, Sand mound on chromogenic print, 4 3/8 x 7 in; (11) islotes (the pharmacist kids; Kevin, Keishla and Papi on Christmas Day), 2024, Sand on chromogenic print, 4 11/16 x 6 15/16 in
islotes (their other became their bond; Kevin & Keishla on a hammock), 2024 [detail]
Sand mound on chromogenic print
7 15/16 x 11 1/5 in
islotes (perpetual vaivén; empty plane to Florida), 2024 [detail]
Sand mound on chromogenic print
10 5/8 x 15 5/8 in
Kevin Quiles Bonilla 