REFLEJOS

Reflejos: Erika Morillo & Adeline Lulo 
Curated by Oscar J Rivera
Romanesque Revival Row House Gallery
June 11- July 13, 2022*

Reflejos in Spanish translates to “Reflections,” in photography, reflections are purposeful, often messages from the artists engaging with the viewers directly by offering alternate perspectives and interpretations. In writing, reflections are an opportunity to analyze experiences,  search deeper and respond to critical moments. The artists in Reflejos, Adeline Lulo and Erika Morillo, use the language of photography to reflect on their experiences as Dominican women, working visually to document, celebrate, and uplift their families, communities, and cultural legacies. 

Adeline Lulo’s series Si Dios Quiere (If God is Willing), explores Lulo’s relationship to the Dominican Republic. Like many other New York Dominicans, Lulo’s childhood was split between the island and the boroughs. This dichotomy of her experiences drives the work and imbues the imagery with a sense of warmth and comfort. Lulo began documenting her family and community in 2013, after returning to the Dominican Republic after many years as an adult.  

During this visit, Lulo noticed the critical lack of representation for Dominicans and felt compelled to document her community. Si Dios Quiere offers a crucial look into the experiences of Dominicans, many of which are living below the poverty line, with a lack of resources and limited infrastructure or governmental oversight. Yet, despite these concerns, the people persevere. The communities rely on themselves, and families find ways to survive. The images presented in Reflejos highlight the community’s resolve, they engage with the realities of living in the Caribbean, and force the viewers to contend with their knowledge of current social, economic, and political challenges faced by Dominicans. Si Dios Quiere is a hopeful response to these concerns, a prayer for better times. 

Erika Morillo’s series Umbral explores her relationship with her son. Umbral translates to a gateway, a portal, or the first step towards something. As the viewer, we watch as Morillo’s son grows, and through the black and white imagery, we witness Morillo’s attempts to create a nurturing space for her child. Combating her  notions and experiences as both a child and now a mother. Morillo uses umbral to navigate the fantasy of an idealized childhood for herself and her children, and honor her heritage and the diasporic experiences faced by being Dominican in the States. Accurately described by the title, the images in Umbral function as portals into the dynamic Morillo has built with her family. Many of the images include the suggestion of Morillo’s presence, a slice of legs in one, and a shadow in another These moments highlight the mothers guidance , and the balance of two energies revolving around each other. 

The Virtual exhibition also features a selection of images from Morillo’s series Motherland, which like Umbral, explores the artist’s relationship to motherhood, by  exploring Morillo’s relationship with her mother. These images use projections to illustrate the turbulent bond, they are an attempt to recontextualize the past and reinterpret Morillo’s experiences to create a narrative that reconciles the relationship between mother and daughter. Creating a new narrative that embraces what might have been, offers guidance to shape what’s to come, and honors Morrilo’s lineage, legacy. and heritage. 

The work featured in Reflejos is visually contrasting. Morillo’s quiet, dreamy black and white images are juxtaposed against the bright pastels of Caribbean living documented in Lulo’s Si Dios Quiere, offering unique perspectives into a vast and ever-growing cultural landscape of the Dominican Republic and the experiences of those connected to the island. Si Dios Quiere highlights the experiences on the island, not defined by challenges, but instead celebrates the people, the families, and communities bonded by heritage, culture, and duty. Umbral reflects on the artist’s personal and diasporic connections to her heritage, using her lineage and motherhood to explore family dynamics, and ultimately, the placelessness and longing for home that many Dominicans living in the States experience.

Reflejos examines the vast and ever-growing cultural landscape of the Dominican Republic as diasporic Dominicans grapple with their relationships to their homeland, their families, and their communities on the island and beyond.

Adeline Lulo was born in Washington Heights, and raised in the Bronx, New York. She received her BFA in Photography from Parsons School of Design in May 2015. She has grown up between two places that are very dominant to Dominican society. This has allowed her to experience a duality of life between Washington Heights and the Dominican Republic. Through her photographs, Lulo attempts to capture the national essence of a Caribbean nation of ten million people. Her images have a romanticized quality to them because of her personal connection that ties back to her childhood spending summers exploring her motherland. She finds beauty in how her friends and family remain humble and grateful. Lulo’s work spans many consecutive summers and acts as a way to reconnect with her culture and its society. The different themes conveyed throughout the work address family values, class inequity, access to healthcare and poverty. Her obligation as the artist is to empower the Dominican Community in both countries, while focusing on their unique characteristics.

Erika Morillo was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. Morillo has been working as a freelance professional in NYC for over a decade. She studied clinical psychology and sociology, which influenced her to photograph as a way to understand her family dynamics and the social environment she inhabits. Morillo has extensive experience as a documentary photographer, mainly with projects/assignments that focus on social issues, public health, inner city life and Latino culture. She has ongoing photography collaborations with different organizations including: International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), Maryland Department of Health and Remezcla. Her photographs focus on the issues of family, inner city life and the finding of identity. 

Oscar J Rivera was born in Brooklyn, New York, studied photography at Parsons The New School for Design and is a founding member of the Poor Brown Kids Art Collective. His work covers a range of themes including personal relationships, sexuality and gender identity, as well as his quest to define his Latinidad. Rivera often creates bodies of work that incorporate found artifacts, vintage photographs, and his own work to create diaristic approaches to storytelling. He was previously a Studio Art Mentor with Studio in A School and worked within several summer programs teaching art to children in NYC public schools. Rivera received a scholarship to attend the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education to develop programming on campus at The New School. He currently is a Curator and the Exhibitions and Programs Manager with En Foco. 

About The Romanesque Revival Row House Gallery
Set in a historic and architectural landmark, this group exhibition investigates and reflects on notions of home (metaphorical and literal), belonging, displacement, street life, urban renewal and gentrification, and activism. The Revival Romanesque Row House Gallery is part of The East Mott Haven Historic District. One of the oldest row house developments in The Bronx, where the row house typology is rare in comparison to other parts of the city.

Being a Dominican and immigrant woman in a predominately white field has made me aware of the need for a physical and virtual platforms to empower artists. I have an appreciation for art and a love for my community. Our neighborhood is going through a considerable transformation; however, there is no space to promote art in the area.

Idelsa Mendez, Owner
Before establishing her life in New York City, Three-time CUNY alumna Idelsa Méndez traveled back and forth between the Dominican Republic and New York for many years until she enrolled at Hostos to learn English. After completing an associate of arts and sciences degree at Hostos, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Lehman College and a master’s degree in public administration from John Jay College.

In her current role, as Development Manager at the Career Services at Hostos, Idelsa contributes to organizing and administering general fundraising activities, in addition to the three major fundraising events of Hostos: The Annual Hostos Scholarship Benefit, Annual Golf Outing, the CUNY Payroll Deduction Campaign, and Giving Tuesday.

A great supporter and promoter of local Bronx businesses and community engagement, in 2018 Idelsa launched “The Bronx Academy,” a line of Bronx-based specialty t-shirts with a team of local designers that have called the South Bronx home since the late 1970’s. Idelsa hopes to shine a light on the South Bronx neighborhoods while inspiring a sense of community among newcomers and old-timers alike. Idelsa owns of one of the 400 landmark homes in the Bronx. Her historic home is also part of the houses that host the EnFoco’s Apartment Gallery Series. Her work at Hostos and her presence in the Bronx have made a difference. “I am grateful. I feel great about being able to give back to the community I love.”