Raphael Díaz is a visual artist who has traveled the spectrum of life. As a person of mixed Afro Cuban heritage, he has sought through his art-making process to squarely address the question of identity politics. His most recent work, a series called "Plantain Angels", presents an allegorical approach to confronting stereotypes often associated with Latino cultures.

      He says of this new direction: "I want to acknowledge through the new work, that, I came in a banana boat and I eat plantains. There is nothing to be ashamed of in fact. In this show I want to confront this stereotype and say that I am proud of my culture, friends, and family. When you have these three elements in your life, you have a foundation to support yourself and overcome any stereotype that may come your way." To the outside observer, being the object of stereotyping may not seem like a painful burden, but for the Latino it is a most disturbing situation.

      Díaz seeks to create a special bond with his viewers by exposing himself through his portrayal of the social fabric of his culture. Sharing his work is both a celebration of self and of Latino culture, which is the core of the artist´s meaning.

      It is evident that Díaz is attempting to realize art that fits into a continuum extending back to the canvases of Wifredo Lam (Cuban, 1902-82). Díaz is mindful of the modernist movement, but his compositions depend upon a visual aesthetic that captures the essence of Caribbean light and color. His sense of history and his connection to his personal and cultural past are central to Díaz´s authenticity as an image-maker.