Interview with Elizabeth Baez

              Caribbean Diaspora Oral History Collection
Interview with Elizabeth Baez
Miami, FL, December 20, 2015
Interview asm0344000008
Interviewed by Julio Estorino
Recorded by Javier Carrion
Outline by Kriti Sood
Length: 00:29:13
Interview with Elizabeth Baez, Puerto Rican artist. Originally born in Brooklyn, New York, she moved to Puerto Rico at the age of 12 and stayed there with her family for the next 4-5 years. She then moved back to Queens and received an Associate in Arts and Sciences for art and advertising design from New York City Technical College. She subsequently moved to Miami, where she currently resides and works as an artist and an agent for change in the community. Her art is imbued with scenic and tropic views of Puerto Rico. Elizabeth incorporates storytelling into her pieces. In addition to being an artist, she is also involved in education and teaches art from preschool to 12th grade. Elizabeth is very active in community service. She is a curator for silent auctions that benefit non-profit organizations, and is also on the Silver Angels Committee that benefits the Woman’s Cancer Association. She also serves as president of the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women. She has received many awards and recognitions, such as the Humanitarian Award for outstanding community service.
This interview forms part of the Caribbean Diaspora Oral History Collection of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections.
This oral history expresses the views, memories and opinions of the interviewee. It does not represent the viewpoints of the University of Miami, its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The University of Miami makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interview and expressly disclaims any liability therefor.
Copyright to this interview lies with the University of Miami. It may not be reproduced, retransmitted, published, distributed, or broadcast without the permission of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections. For information about obtaining copies or to request permission to publish any part of this interview, please contact Special Collections at asc@miami.edu. INTERVIEW OUTLINE
 00:00:10: Introduction
 00:00:18: Tell me, where were you born?
 00:00:25: And describe your family for me, how is your family? Your parents…
 00:01:03: And your family roots, is there any artistic trait from your father or?
 00:01:38: You were born in Brooklyn, New York? How was your childhood there?
 00:02:09: How old were you when you moved to Puerto Rico?
 00:02:10: At that age, or around that age, many Spanish children are eager to be americanized and as American as they can be. Did you ever go through that phase in life?
 00:03:00: How was your elementary school and early education?
 00:03:14: It was a catholic school right?
 00:03:41: Did you feel your calling to be an artist, a painter, as a child or later on?
 00:04:12: You say that your family moved to Puerto Rico when you were 12. Okay, what was the reason they moved?
 00:04:44: Now, this twelve year old New Yor-ican, what was your first impression?
 00:06:08: About the way of living, New York versus Puerto Rico, did you feel the difference?
 00:06:39: How long were you there?
 00:06:51: That returning to New York, was it okay with you? Or was it more of a back to the bricks and the buildings and no green?
 00:08:09: So even though from the very beginning you said that you never had any conflict between being American and Puerto Rican, when you came back to the states. Were you more Puerto Rican than ever?
 00:09:25: You mentioned that you went to an arts school and where was that in?...How was it for you?
 00:10:38: So, when did the idea strike you?
 00:11:20: At that time you were already living in Miami right? And how was your experience moving from New York, to Puerto Rico, to New York, to Miami?
 00:11:59: Do you think now, that Miami has become an art friendly city?
 00:12:33: How would you describe your own paintings? What are, let’s say, the most prominent characteristics in them?
 00:14:00: Besides what has been called the folklorian side of your life, your experience, your Puerto Rican theme. Do you venture in other expressions?
 00:14:49: In your, let’s call it your Puerto Rican side on your paintings, you just told me what you are trying to say. You are trying to connect to show history for the traditions. But, in your abstract work many people said that artists only paint or sculpt what they see, but what they are trying to say. So what are you trying to say?
 00:15:56: So if I take you correctly, we can say that your paintings are you.
 00:16:49: For a large amount of the public that goes to a museum, an art gallery or to a home and sees these paintings, like me. That we don’t know much about, but we know what we like and consider beautiful or not. There is always a discussion between what we call classic versus modern art. Where do you place yourself?
 00:18:55: One thing is to say oh I want to be a painter and these are my feelings and my calling. Another thing is to try to show that to the public and trying to become a known artist – exhibitions, galleries. How hard is it for a young artist today to enter that circle of galleries, expositions, samples?
 00:20:52: Now, many talented people complain that art critics exercise way too much influence in the art market. How do you feel about that? Is commercialization killing the art world?
 00:21:42: Well I don’t mean that which is very legitimate. You are an artist and you try to label your art that is perfectly right. I mean in the big scale, the big markets, and the dealers, the intermediaries in between trying to look for money and not really for the art?
 00:22:49: Now, what are the previous masters that feel have an influence on you?
 00:23:23: Looking back now, when you look back at the little New Yorican girl, is she happy with her life, with the way she has gone, what she is doing with the talents?
 00:24:15: Where do you see yourself in your art? Any changes you feel coming in your creativity. Let’s say ten years from now? Twenty years from now?
 00:25:14: You know, not only in paintings or in the plastic arts, the fine arts, but also writers, filmmakers, storytellers, many people struggle like you between the talent they have and the lack of opportunity or resources to show or dedicate themselves to only that creativity. What would you tell them?
 00:27:04: Something that I didn’t ask you and I meant to. Many Latin American artists get really tangled up in politics and social causes, good or bad, you know, the way they see it. Some of them are even better known for their political or social involvement than from their art. Are there issues and causes that appeal to you?
 00:28:34: is there anything you want to add. Anything that I didn’t ask you that you think is important?
 00:29:03: Thank you very much
 00:29:13: END OF INTERVIEW