Draft:Samuel García Román

File:Samuel Garcia Roman.jpg

Garcia in 2016

Samuel García Román (March 28 1945 – November 18 2024) was a Puerto Rican painter and illustrator celebrated for his realistic portrayals of life in Puerto Rico, depictions of historical events in Puerto Rican history, and urban scenes of New York City. His career spanned decades and highlighted the complexities of the Puerto Rican diaspora and its influence on art.

Early life

Samuel García Román was born in 1945 in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and spent his early years in the Leguísamo neighborhood. His parents, who cultivated sugarcane and coffee, relocated the family to Washington Heights, New York City, in 1953 due to the decline of agriculture on the island...

García’s early memories of Puerto Rico, including its mountainous landscapes and the beaches of Islote in Arecibo, left a lasting impression that would later inform his artwork. The transition to life in New York was transformative. He recalled waking up in his grandparents’ apartment to the unfamiliar sounds of a new language and seeing snow for the first time, a moment that symbolized his entry into a new cultural world..

In Washington Heights, García embraced the vibrant neighborhood culture, participating in stickball games and honing his artistic skills. Teachers recognized his talent when he included illustrations in his homework. He pursued formal training at the High School of Art and Design and later at George Washington High School, where he met his future wife, Carmen, a fellow Puerto Rican. The couple shared a deep connection, with family ties that stretched back to Puerto Rico, and they were shaped by the cultural fabric of their Manhattan neighborhood during the 1950s, a time when “doo-wop” music and street-corner harmony were ubiquitous.

After completing military service in the United States Army, García married Carmen, continued his formal art education at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and began a career that spanned several decades.

Career

García’s work encompassed urban street scenes, rural Puerto Rican landscapes, depictions of historical events in Puerto Rican history and fantasy illustrations inspired by classic novels. His art was distinguished by vibrant color, dynamic movement, and meticulous attention to detail, creating an immersive quality that often included subtle references to friends and family.

La Rogativa by the artist Samuel Garcia Roman

Notable works such as La Rogativa, Sunday in The Bronx, and Ponce Massacre combined vivid colors, intricate details, and a storytelling quality that resonated with viewers. In addition to traditional landscapes, García addressed historical and social themes, exploring pivotal moments in Puerto Rican history and celebrating cultural resilience

Throughout his career, García participated in numerous exhibitions in Puerto Rico and New York. Highlights included shows at government-sponsored events like “Defensores de Arecibo”, and "Lienzo y Pinceladas del Cacique Arasibo". His contributions were widely recognized for promoting Puerto Rican culture and history.

Most notably, his work was on regular display at Coogan’s, a historic venue in Washington Heights. Here, his paintings of Puerto Rican landscapes and New York street scenes resonated deeply with the local community, reflecting the cultural crossroads that defined his life and art. García’s contributions helped cement Coogan’s reputation as a hub for celebrating diverse artistic voices.

His works often drew inspiration from childhood memories of Barrio Leguísamo in Mayagüez and Barrio Islote in Arecibo, as well as the bustling streets of New York City. These influences, combined with his technical skill, allowed García to create art that bridged two distinct yet interconnected worlds.

Style and influence

Cuidando Los Nietos by the artist Samuel Garcia Roman

García’s artistic style combined realism with emotive elements, drawing from personal memories, photographs, and his surroundings. His works often featured themes of migration, nostalgia, and cultural duality, highlighting the connection between his upbringing in Puerto Rico and his life in New York.

García credited his bicultural education for his unique perspective. His paintings often depicted Puerto Rican landscapes, family gatherings, and urban street scenes, blending the traditions of his homeland with the dynamic energy of his adopted city.

Personal life

García and Carmen shared a lifelong partnership, raising two daughters, Sandra and Kristina, while navigating life and establishing Garcia's artistic career between Puerto Rico and New York City. In 2002, García returned to Puerto Rico, settling in Arecibo, where he continued his artistic pursuits until his death in 2024.

Known for his dedication to community and culture, García frequently collaborated with local artists and organizations, using his work to celebrate and preserve Puerto Rican heritage.

References

1. "AAPPR Profile on Samuel García Román." Asociación de Artistas Plásticos de Puerto Rico.
2. "Teen Idol Frankie Lymon’s Tragic Rise and Fall Tells the Truth About 1950s America." Smithsonian Magazine.
3. "Long Ago, a Pilot Landed on an Uptown Street. That’s Where the Bar Was." The New York Times.
4. "Defensores de Arecibo” por el artista Samuel García." Cultural P.R.
5. "Artistas arecibeños exhiben sus talentos en la Casa de las Leyes." El Vocero.
6. "Coogan’s, an Uptown Stalwart, Makes Its Last Stand." The New York Times.
7. "Amazing Things Happened Here." The Uptown Collective.
8. "Artists Get The Biz Picture: Center Teaches Them How To Make Skills Pay Dividends." The New York Daily News.
9. "The Mark of María" The Bronx Free Press