Joseriberto Perez, an emerging artist based in Miami, seems to avoid assigning his works meaning; he prefers the works to be ambiguous to the viewer and to lead to their own conclusions. But if you look closely, the artist has managed to create a body of work that examines his Cuban heritage and Miami upbringing in interesting ways.

Born in New Jersey to Cuban parents, Perez grew up in Coconut Grove where he says he spent most of his time “with young people [his] age slumming around outside.” In high school, he decided to become an artist because of his interest in street art (which led to his appreciation of contemporary art) and his desire to work for himself.

While his paintings are all his own, they often borrow from the language of artists before him such as Mark Rothko and Robert Motherwell. By appropriating the styles from the past, he is able to add his own narrative and vision to the conversation.