By Cameron Greaves
Roberto Lugo is a Puerto Rican-American contemporary artist, activist, poet and educator who works and lives in Philadelphia. He takes a unique approach to his work by combining traditional ceramic motifs with contemporary cultural symbols and figures.
His work is inspired by his upbringing in Philadelphia and his Puerto Rican heritage. His work often features portraits of important black figures such as Biggie, Tupac and Martin Luther King Jr., set against classic ceramic silhouettes.
In the Plattsburgh State Art Museum collection, Lugo’s piece “Untitled (Island Hummingbirds)” reflects his unique style. The vase was purchased by the Student Association’s Art Acquisition Board in spring 2024. The work is a part of a series called “The Pigeon Crib,” The series reinterprets James McNeill Whistler’s “The Peacock Room” at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art.
Lugo infuses elements of his cultural background into his art. The hummingbirds depicted reference the diverse species of birds native to Puerto Rico. The graffiti element on the vessel’s neck reflects Philadelphia’s street art scene and the city’s influence on Lugo’s artistic practice.
Through his ceramics, Lugo makes viewers recontextualize the traditions of the medium. The work asks viewers to reflect on who they commemorate in art and why. Lugo blends historical ceramic motifs with contemporary narratives, ultimately uplifting marginalized communities and creating a dialogue about cultural representation.
This and other artworks from the museum collection are currently on display in the Myers Fine Arts Building in room 232.
If you are interested in participating in selecting the next round of objects for these cases, please contact Kara Jefts at kara.jefts@plattsburgh.edu to express your interest. This display will change with each academic year, with new selections curated over the summer. All members of the campus community are welcome to participate.
