It's a pop of vivid color and glimmering textures, tinted with memories of home, heritage, and, most of all, music. This biographical portrait by artist Robert Weingarten depicts Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, and was unveiled this morning. It will be on display until May 2013.
We hope you like it because you, readers of the blog, voted for it. We asked you to pick which of five iconic American figures should be memorialized in a new Weingarten portrait and Cruz's multifaceted story of immigration, music, and entertainment resonated with the most voters. "This was the first time I've agreed not to pick who I was working with," said Weingarten, who listened to Cruz's music as he worked.
Unlike most portraits, Weingarten's don't include an image of the subject. Instead, photographs of objects, documents, and other symbols that represent the person are layered into a composite image, conveying the individual's biography in a unique way.
"Celia left Cuba seeking freedom, which is the story of millions of Cubans," wrote one commenter. "However, Celia converted this pain into art—into cheerful songs which reminded all Cubans—even those inside of the island—about the beautiful things of the island."
Here's the portrait:
