KRONIKO ARTE
Luis “Güillo” Cruz Martes is a graphic and visual artist born in 1982 in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, and raised between the diaspora and the highlands of Jayuya. From an early age, he showed great talent for drawing, which led him to develop a unique and visually striking pictorial style that has become the core of his artistic work.
He currently resides in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he works on his artistic production focused on socio-cultural aspects. His approach seeks to preserve ancestral forms and philosophies through a contemporary and urban language that reflects his Puerto Rican and Latin American identity.
In addition to his artistic work, from 2015 to 2020 he curated and directed the Galería Betances project, an emerging and transdisciplinary space that sought to enrich the artistic experience in the Mayagüez community. He also has more than 15 years of experience as a creative graphic designer and independent illustrator in the field of advertising and graphic goods. Cruz Martes is also the founder of Króniko Arte, a graphic production brand established in 2008 that has stood out for its distinctive and characteristic designs. His success transcends the boundaries of fashion to become a creator of creative and commercial concepts, which has earned him recognition both locally and internationally.
Presented work: Three paintings on Canvas and murals on the digital screen.
1. Pitirre Kamikaze I: From the Guatibirí KMKZ series 48″x72″ Acrylic on canvas with gold metallic lamination.
2. Pitirre Kamikaze II: From the Guatibirí KMKZ series 48″x36″ Acrylic on canvas with gold metallic lamination.
“Guatibirí KMKZ” (Piece 1 and 2): The “Guatibirí KMKZ” series presents two acrylic paintings, in medium and large formats, that merge the human figure with the image of Pitirre through a mask. These works explore the role of the Pitirre as a symbol of courage and protection, showing an individual masked as the bird, and capturing his resolute spirit determined to defend what he loves with great fervor.
3. Sacrificed Heart: 36″x48″ Giclee print on canvas fabric.
“Sacrifice Heart” is a printed version on canvas of a mural created in Lares as part of the “El Grito del Arte” Festival. This work pays tribute to the Puerto Rican jíbara woman, whose importance has often been underestimated. The piece highlights his valuable contribution to the development of agriculture and his fundamental role in nation-building. The image shows a heart in the shape of a vibrant and full of life pompana, surrounded by natural and agricultural elements, crossed with a machete symbolizing the sacrifice of bringing food to the house and the intimate connection that one has with the land that is cultivated.
