Artist statement
I make art from the point of view of the systemically disenfranchised, making use of the object of consumption as a unit of representation and as an assertion of my Caribbean roots and it's hand-me-down culture.
I am also interested in the place the object holds in the collective memory and abjection as a daily occurrence in the construction of common (and uncommon) narratives. This gives way to a multidisciplinary practice that adapts to the needs of the project.
Through this lens I explore points of view, incorporating perspectives of the body while striving to incite conversations around topics of perception, memory, the impact of social constructs and mental health.
Bio
Born in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic.
Graduated in 2007 with an AAS in Fine Arts and Illustration from Altos de Chavón in the Dominican Republic. In 2011 obtained a BFA in Painting from Escuela de Artes Plásticas of Puerto Rico and in 2013 obtained a MFA in Painting from Savannah College of Art and Design.
Maldonado has been the recipient of the Carlos Collazo (EAP) and Gelman Trust Scholarship (SCAD) and has been subject to inclusion on various publications across platforms, including papers, magazines and online journals.
His work has been presented in different venues, including the Santo Domingo 23rd Modern Art Museum Biennial (2013), “Santurce es Ley” art festival (2010, 2011), Saint Louis Fashion Week, Philly Fashion week, as well as multiple group and solo shows throughout Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the United States. He has also been a resident artist at Elsewhere Residency in Greensboro, NC (2013) and Tiger Strikes Asteroid in Philadelphia, PA (2020).
Since 2017 he lives and work in Philadelphia, PA.