Artist M. Tony Peralta reimagines a black-and-white photograph of Afro-Cuban singer Celia Cruz (1925-2003) in this mixed media portrait. Against a purple backdrop, the “Queen of Salsa” wears purple, pink, and yellow rolos, or rollers, along with a large gold pendant and earrings. Celia con Rolos is part of Peralta’s portrait series, Rolos and Icons, celebrating extraordinary Latinas. Before silkscreening each canvas, Peralta paints these icons in hair rollers, a weekly ritual in many Latinx communities. The painter, a New Yorker whose parents are Dominican, hopes the rolos will help viewers connect with Cruz and other Latinas, such as his favorite artist, Frida Kahlo. The portrait, which also resembles religious iconography, was on display at the Anacostia Community Museum’s exhibition, Gateways/Portales, from December 2016 to January 2018.
Cite As:
Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution.