Restauración del Mural en Manuel A. Pérez

En el año 2005 decidimos realizar un mural en nuestro Bloque A del Caserío Manuel A. Pérez para plantear distintas denuncias contra la represión que se estaban viviendo en todo Puerto Rico. Ese año fue uno lleno de mucha violencia contra las comunidades, los barrios y los caseríos. El gobierno en aquella época pretendía imponer cámaras de vigilancia en nuestros vecindarios, la policía continuaba con su brutalidad contra la juventud y el FBI asesinó al puertorriqueño Filiberto Ojeda Ríos en un acto cruel rechazado por toda la sociedad boricua. Fue de esa manera que varios líderes comunitarios del Residencial conocido como "ManuelA" o "El MAPA", convocaron a varios artistas emergentes en aquella época para hacer la pieza que se llamó "Mural Contra La Represión". RIMX, EXOR, ISMO y SON fueron los jóvenes artistas del grafiti que en aquel momento acudieron al llamado para realizar una obra que trascendió hasta el presente.

A 20 años de nuestra histórica gestión cultural comunitaria queremos invitarles nuevamente a participar del proceso restaurador de éste importante mural. En el año 2005 los artistas donaron su tiempo y su arte a la comunidad durante tres semanas de arduo trabajo. Ahora para éste proceso de restauración y actualización queremos brindarles la oportunidad de recibir un apoyo económico. Tu donativo será bien utilizado para todo lo que requiere éste tipo de proyecto artístico.

Nos sentimos orgullosos por toda la historia que ha dejado nuestro mural en estos 20 años. Son miles de personas las que han pasado por nuestra comunidad durante estas dos décadas para conocer y presenciar las verdades que expresa el arte plasmado sobre nuestra pared. El Mural se ha convertido en un símbolo de identidad y orgullo para distintas generaciones. Agradecemos tu apoyo a nuestros artistas y el cariño a nuestra comunidad, el Caserío Manuel A. Pérez.

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In 2025, marking the 20th anniversary of the iconic anti-repression mural in Block A of the Manuel A. Pérez Public Housing Project, artists Mario Resende (SON), Diego Romero (EXOR), and David Sepúlveda (DON RIMX) come together to restore and reimagine this historic work with the support of the local community. This mural, which gained international acclaim after the government’s failed attempt to erase its powerful message, was defended by an organized community, cementing its status as a global reference in graffiti muralism. The artists’ collaborative effort aims to honor its legacy while infusing new life into this symbol of resistance and cultural expression.

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Mario Resende (SON)

Origin and Inspiration: From a young age, Mario Resende developed an interest in spray cans and street art, drawing inspiration from graffiti masters. Under the pseudonym “Son,” he maintained anonymity while gaining recognition as the youngest artist in the local scene.

Style and Technique: Through practice and effort, he honed his skills, expanding his toolkit (spray paint, brushes, rollers) and exploring light, shadow, and color. He strives for perfection in the quality of his final work, with no creative limits.

International Career: He has showcased his work in cities such as New York, Boston, Miami, Tokyo, Bogotá, Curitiba, Havana, and Puerto Rico, participating in multicultural muralism events driven by community needs.

Collaborations and Collectives: Co-founder of the ADM group alongside Pun18 (deceased) and an active member of the Corográfico collective, established in 2004, focused on urban art and graphic design to represent Puerto Rico globally. He has worked as an assistant to renowned muralists on monumental projects and in private studios.

Professional Experience: For the past five years, he has worked with Overall Murals, painting large-scale advertising murals in major U.S. cities, refining his oil painting techniques under the mentorship of great masters.

Mission: To inspire others through his work and discipline, promoting art as a tool for community impact.

Diego Romero (EXOR)

Origin and Inspiration: Known as “Exor,” Diego Romero is a multidisciplinary artist and cultural project manager with over 20 years of experience. He began in 1998 within Puerto Rico’s hip-hop and graffiti culture, collaborating with key figures such as Martín García Rivera, Jaime Romano, and Rafael Trelles.

Style and Technique: His pictorial work blends graphic elements, photorealism, and interventions on found objects, exploring art as a language of resistance and cultural reinvention.

International Career: His murals can be found in cities like Montreal, New York, Philadelphia, Chiapas, Amman, and Buenos Aires. His work has been exhibited in international collections.

Educational Work: He has led muralism workshops in various communities, including a recent project with incarcerated individuals in Puerto Rico, fostering art as a tool for social transformation.

Cultural Management: As a creative project manager, he has spearheaded initiatives in cultural production and strategic design, solidifying his impact in urban art.

David Sepúlveda (DON RIMX)

Origin and Inspiration: Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the Nemesio R. Canales public housing complex, an area with high crime rates in the 1990s. His parents nurtured his early interest in drawing by enrolling him in weekend art classes.

Academic Background: Graduated from the Central High School of Visual Arts and the Escuela de Artes Plásticas, where he focused on integrating classical art techniques into urban art, specializing in murals.

Style and Technique: Influenced by artists such as Lorenzo Homar, José Alicea, Rafael Tufiño, Antonio Martorell, Rembrandt, and Joaquín Sorolla, his work is distinguished by its line work, color treatment, and poetic imagery.

Career: After completing his studies, he dedicated himself to creating murals that blend classical and urban art, establishing himself as a leading figure in public art.

Mission: Through his work, he seeks to transform environments and communities, using art as a medium to inspire and connect.

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DESGLOSE DE PRESUPUESTO

Materiales de Pintura:

25 colores (cuartos y galones): $900

6 galones de clear coat varnish: $360

5 galones de primer: $100

30 spray: $240

Herramientas y Equipos:

10 brochas: $100

100 caps: $25

2 cubetas de 5 galones vacías: $8

3 palos de extensión: $15

25 platos para pintura de 4”: $50

25 rodillos de 4 pulgadas: $100

25 motas extra: $55

5 rollos de tape: $36

1 rollo de Dutch tape: $10

1 escalera de 12 pies: $300

2 extensiones de 100 pies: $40

3 luces para trabajar en la noche: $160

1 multiplug: $10

1 paint sprayer: $479

1 máquina de presión: $200

Protección y Limpieza:

Canvas para cubrir el lift: $32

3 contenedores de plástico para agua: $12

3 máscaras: $111

Paños para limpiar: $20

Estructuras y Acceso:

1 andamio de un piso (6 pies de alto): $400

60’ boom lift (una semana): $1,878

Otros Suministros:

1 tanque de diésel: $30

3 impresiones a color laminadas: $20

Mano de Obra:

3 artistas: $15,000

Logística y Transporte:

2 pasajes ida y vuelta (Son y Don Rimx): $600

Rental car (una semana): $500

Gastos adicionales de logística (combustible, peajes, transporte local): $500

Alojamiento:

Airbnb (una semana): $700

Gastos de Producción:

Materiales adicionales y costos de producción (imprevistos, herramientas de repuesto): $700

Gastos de Emergencia:

Fondo de emergencia (reparaciones, retrasos, contingencias): $300

Total: $24,000