Collage
King of the Caribbean is a striking collage created in 2023 that honors both the storied legacy of Caribbean piracy and the artist’s own cultural roots. Measuring 5 by 7.75 inches, the work is composed entirely of recycled materials on eco-friendly cardboard, underscoring the artist’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. At its center, a bold black skull crowned with regal ornamentation rests upon the broad form of a monstera leaf—a visual fusion of power, mortality, and tropical vitality. Above, a billowing cloud sets the atmospheric stage, while surrounding blossoms and jewel-like fragments lend the piece an aura of opulence and mystery.
Beyond its visual allure, King of the Caribbean functions as both homage and critique. It reflects on the vanished world of pirates as cultural icons, while simultaneously offering a cautionary meditation on the fragility of contemporary lifestyles. By reclaiming discarded magazines, packaging, and other salvaged components, the artist transforms refuse into resonance, reminding viewers of the urgent necessity of reuse in a culture of excess. Part of a broader series created on recycled cardboard, the work situates environmental responsibility within the language of visual art, entwining heritage, imagination, and ecological awareness. In doing so, King of the Caribbean becomes not only a portrait of the past but also a call to action for the present.