Hatuey

In this painting from the The Cavalry series, the artist portrays Hatuey, a legendary figure of indigenous resistance in the Caribbean. Mounted on a horse emerging through flames, his gaze remains steady, aligned with the horizon. This recurring posture in the series conveys serenity, focus, and a sense of unwavering resolve.
Hatuey, a Taíno chief who fought against Spanish colonization, was captured and burned alive in 1512 for refusing to submit. Here, the fire that engulfs him does not signify defeat but transformation. The rider and horse seem born of the flames, a vision of spiritual power and defiance that transcends death.
The expressive use of color and motion intensifies the tension between violence and dignity, sacrifice and transcendence. Cavalry, in this context, is not merely an instrument of war—it becomes a symbol of clarity and determination in the face of annihilation.
 
100 x 100 cm
oil on canvas
2023