Tropical Gems: Achiote Rays
2025
6″ x 6″
stained glass, Apoxie Sculpt, stringers, smalti, glass nuggets, fillati
$389
My inspiration comes primarily from nature, with its rich biodiversity of flora and fauna in Puerto Rico. I am also inspired by archetypes, myths, and scientific concepts, using elements of nature to create symbolic narratives that range from the personal to the universal.
Through my art, I aim to evoke curiosity and foster personal interpretation. I want people to connect empathetically with natural elements, taking a moment to reflect on their surroundings and the often-overlooked beauty in everyday life. Achiote is a very important plant in Puerto Rico, especially in our kitchen. Their seeds offered a very striking red pigment and a somewhat mild flavor to our special dishes. But there’s some data that indigenous people of Borinquen (PR) The Tainos (Arajuacos) also use the pigment on their pottery and their body. Among all the dense floral of our tropical paradise the Achiote stands out. Imagine different hues of greens, from lite and dark, among all of the cool tones a spark of red breaks the monochromatic atmosphere. I used a vibrant red smalti to create a slide cut of the Achiote and some glass nuggets representing the seeds, where the pigment and flavor is extracted. The fillati add a more refined texture that works as a transition from the more rough and bigger pieces of glass. A nice detail that invites the view to take a closer look.
Tanisha N Pacheco