ALTERNATE SIDES ART PROJECT

The Alternate Sides Art Project explores themes of impermanence, transformation, and interaction. Each piece begins with an original composition that serves as a foundation for evolution, inviting engagement and collaboration. This dynamic and participatory approach ensures the artwork remains in a constant state of flux, never settling into a fixed or final form.

The project reflects diverse perspectives and interpretations, with its iterations documented as a record of its evolution. Through this process, Alternate Sides highlights the transient nature of art and the power of communal involvement, challenging traditional notions of artistic creation and ownership. By embracing change, it offers a fresh perspective on how art can connect and resonate with others.



AYUB



“AYUB” - Acrylic paint on modular wood blocks. 10 x 14” assembled. 2024

“This is Ayub from Bangladesh. He works at the Halal food cart by the subway station near my home. In the haze of the summer heat, Ayub quickly put together a delicious meal for my family and me. He was so pleasant that I felt comfortable enough to ask if I could take his picture to create this painting. He lit up and was visibly excited about the idea. ‘Really?’ he asked, as if astonished. He took a moment to straighten up, then posed with a proud expression on his face.”

#alternatesidesartproject 

#portrait #portraitpainting #academicart #contemporaryart




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MAMÁ
It has been roughly a year since my mother had the last of 3 brain surgeries. Neither before nor after have I ever seen her waiver from optimism and faith.In a recent conversation with some amazing fellow artists, I was reminded of the Japanese practice of kintsugi. Broken pottery is repaired with gold so that the breaks are accentuated, highlighting the beauty in imperfection.“Kintsugi…is a reminder to stay optimistic when things fall apart and to celebrate the flaws and missteps of life.”






When the brain tries to make sense of an image that is out of order or in fragments, it is often referred to as “gestalt perception” or “gestalt principles”. Gestalt psychology suggests that the brain tends to organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes rather than just seeing them as separate parts. This involves processes such as filling in gaps, recognizing patterns, and perceiving incomplete shapes as complete.


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YOLANDA

Acrylic on modular wood blocks + collage media
2024

Yolanda, originally from Puebla, Mexico, has been a part of the Sunset Park, Brooklyn community for over 20 years. She brightens the neighborhood with her delicious traditional Mexican snacks and comforting arroz con leche. After dedicating herself to raising her children, Yolanda now dedicates her time to sharing a taste of her culture with others. Though she faces daily obstacles, her resilience and determination shine through in her work. Every morning, she brings her hardworking spirit, setting up early to serve the people.








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TORRES


Acrylic on modular wood blocks + fish hook

2025


My thoughts of Puerto Rico are always filled with nostalgia. Having been raised in the U.S., I often turn to family photos as a window into my culture, a way to reconnect with my roots.


My father rarely speaks of his childhood, but every so often, he shares a small detail—a glimpse into our family history. He once told me about a visit to his grandparents in Villalba, Puerto Rico. He spent the night there with his father and younger sister. At dawn, he woke to the sound of his grandfather, Don Ramón, singing Jíbaro music as he milked a cow. The sound of his singing mixed with the crowing of the morning roosters. As my father recounted this story, it reminded me of when I would visit my mother’s parents in the hills of Yauco, waking to the lowing of cattle and the earthy scent of damp grass and warm soil.


My grandfather spent a portion of his life in New Jersey, and we would visit him around the holidays. He was an avid fisherman. I remember one trip when my father, my grandfather, and I took a charter boat from Orient Point, Long Island. That day, we caught 94 porgies. But the most memorable catch was my grandfather’s—a small black shark with green eyes. I remember him pulling the line up as the shark stared at me, its gaze steady and unblinking. For a moment, I felt as if it were studying me as much as I was studying it. Then, with a quiet certainty, my grandfather released it back into the ocean. That day, I learned how to spot a group of fish feeding at the surface, the ripples in the water revealing the best place to cast a line. My grandfather’s patience, his knowing way with the sea, stayed with me.


In his later years, he returned to Puerto Rico, settling in Cabo Rojo. Even in old age, he would take his small blue fishing boat out onto the water. The paint, faded by the sun, seemed to merge with the crystal-clear waves it navigated. I never got to see him use it, but when I visited, it sat in his marquesina, waiting. His life in Cabo Rojo felt peaceful, simpler—far from the hurried pace of the states.


We didn’t communicate much, which I often regret, but I find comfort in the memories I do have. Though we spoke little, I hold onto these moments as a way to connect with him even now. I believe that whatever Native Taíno blood runs through me comes from his side of the family. While researching, I found my great-grandfather Don Ramón’s draft card—it listed his race as Indio. Seeing that document felt like discovering a tangible link to the Taíno roots I always felt. My art has come to serve as a form of deep study, a way to trace and honor my family’s history.












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SELF

Modular self portrait from observation - Acrylic on wood *

Building myself back one step at a time. 

#painting #portraitpainting #contemporaryart #academicart












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RON FINLEY JR






“Ron Finley Jr.” - Acrylic on modular wood blocks. 10 x 14” assembled, 2024. @ronfinleyhq

This piece marks the first of my recent works where I’ve painted both sides of the blocks. The reverse sides feature two segmented phrases inspired by Ron’s talks and lectures. As with previous works, the blocks can be rearranged to form new compositions. In this piece, the rearrangement also creates a ‘cut-up style’ Dadaist poem, generating unexpected results. The words can be paired with the images, adding another layer of interaction.


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Bentley Rd


This is the crux of the new direction of the work. Impermanence, flux, and interaction. My original composition is just the seed to the work, creating the launchpad for others to participate and become a part of the project. Different perspectives, different rationale, different reflections, different perspectives. The work is always evolving, and is never exactly the same as the original form. Only documentation provides proof of the work as it was in any given form, because there is no one solidified form.