Newfields Museum proudly presented Hilos de Resurgimiento (Threads of Resurgence), a solo exhibition by Carlos Rolón that also marked the institution’s first fully bilingual presentation.
A highlight of the show was The Person I Was Becoming, a hand-stitched textile made from repurposed tarpaulin—material originally used as emergency shelter following Hurricanes Maria and Irma, as well as the earthquakes that devastated Puerto Rico. Over the course of four years, Rolón transformed these everyday remnants into powerful works that honored the resilience of communities who had lived under them for years, while also spotlighting the shortcomings of disaster relief and the ongoing need for reconstruction.
The piece incorporated a moving excerpt from Esmeralda Santiago’s memoir When I Was Puerto Rican: “For me, the person I was becoming when we left was erased, and another one was created.” Through this text, Rolón explored themes of displacement, adaptation, and identity, echoing the complex process of rebuilding one’s life after forced migration. Deeply personal to Santiago’s story, these themes resonated universally.
July 2, 2025
