A Life Rooted in Colonial History

Pablo Delano, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1954, is an artist whose work is inextricably linked to the complex and often fraught history of his homeland. His upbringing, spent on a hillside overlooking Trujillo Alto near the capital city, instilled in him a deep connection to the island’s landscape and its people—a connection that would later become the driving force behind his artistic explorations. Delano's early life was marked by a sense of place, nurtured by simple pleasures like climbing flamboyán trees and savoring tropical fruits, but also shadowed by the realities of Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. colonial possession. This duality—the beauty and vibrancy alongside political and economic constraints—forms the core tension within his oeuvre.

After completing high school, Delano pursued formal art training on the U.S. East Coast, earning a BFA from Tyler School of Art and an MFA in painting from Yale University. However, it was upon relocating to New York City in 1979 that his artistic direction began to crystallize. Initially working as a painter, he soon gravitated towards photography, a medium inherited from his father, Jack Delano, and one that offered him a more direct engagement with the world around him. His early photographic projects focused on the lives of Latin American and Caribbean communities in New York, laying the groundwork for his later, more ambitious investigations into history and identity.

From Documentary to Conceptual Art

Delano’s transition from documentary photography to conceptual art was a gradual but profound one. His work in New York City—including commissions from institutions like the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Ellis Island National Immigration Museum—allowed him to hone his skills and develop a keen eye for visual storytelling. Yet, he felt compelled to move beyond simply *representing* these communities; he wanted to actively engage with their histories and challenge dominant narratives. This desire led him to explore archival materials, particularly those relating to Puerto Rico’s colonial past.

In 1996, Delano accepted a teaching position at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. A pivotal moment came when a colleague suggested he travel to Trinidad and Tobago, sparking a decade-long engagement with the nation's post-colonial identity. This experience culminated in *In Trinidad* (2008), a groundbreaking photographic book that explored the complexities of national formation through visual means. Simultaneously, Delano began collecting archival images of Puerto Rico, envisioning a project that would directly address the island’s ongoing colonial status. This vision materialized as The Museum of the Old Colony (MotOC), his most significant and enduring work.

The Museum of the Old Colony: Unveiling Hidden Histories

MotOC is not a traditional museum in the conventional sense; it’s an immersive, site-specific installation that utilizes reproduced photographs, objects, tableaus, and video pieces to reconstruct and interrogate Puerto Rico's colonial history. The project began as a small exhibition at Alice Yard in Port of Spain in 2016 but has since grown into a vast and complex undertaking. Delano’s meticulous research unearths forgotten narratives, exposing the power dynamics inherent in colonialism—the exploitation, racial hierarchies, and cultural appropriation that have shaped Puerto Rico for centuries.

The installation's title is deliberately ironic, referencing both the complicity of museums in perpetuating colonial ideologies and the pervasive presence of American consumer culture in Puerto Rico. MotOC challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about the island’s past and present, prompting a critical examination of U.S. colonialism and its lasting impact. The work isn't simply a historical recounting; it is an active intervention—a re-staging of history that seeks to reclaim agency and empower marginalized voices.

Recognition and Lasting Significance

Delano’s work has garnered increasing recognition in recent years, culminating in his inclusion in the 60th International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 2024. This prestigious platform provided a global audience with access to MotOC, further solidifying Delano's position as a leading voice in contemporary art.

His contributions extend beyond his artistic practice; he is also a dedicated educator and co-founder of Trinity College’s Center for Caribbean Studies. Through his teaching and scholarship, Delano continues to foster critical dialogue about the complexities of Caribbean identity and the legacies of colonialism. His work serves as a powerful reminder that history is not simply something to be studied but actively constructed—and that reclaiming those narratives is essential for understanding the present and shaping a more just future.

• 1954: Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• 1979: Relocates to New York City to pursue an art career.
• 2008: Publishes *In Trinidad*, a photographic book exploring post-colonial identity.
• 2016: First exhibition of The Museum of the Old Colony at Alice Yard, Port of Spain.
• 2024: Included in the 60th International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale with The Museum of the Old Colony.