Tomás Rivas Palma
La Joya del Pacífico (Pacific Ocean Jewel), 2025
Mirrored acrylic on a Laser Disc
"The Jewel of the Pacific" reimagines the iconic 1941 waltz composed by Chileans Víctor Acosta and Lázaro Salgado, a piece that evokes both the elegance of dance and the maritime spirit of Chile's coastal heritage. The title, which refers to the port city of Valparaíso—often called the "Jewel of the Pacific"—has become a symbolic marker of the city’s identity. Through this artwork, I explore the interplay between nostalgia and cultural memory, reflecting on how Chile has shaped its identity through time and place.
At its core, this piece also engages with the themes of value, belonging, and history. I draw a parallel to Alfredo Valenzuela Puelma's "The Merchant's Pearl" (1884), an iconic painting that depicts a slave market, known in French as Marchand d'esclaves. This historical painting, emblematic of Chilean academicism, contrasts notions of wealth and exploitation. By referencing this work, I invite viewers to reflect on the complex legacies of power, trade, and human agency that have defined Chile’s past.
bio
Tomás Rivas, artist, professor, and co-founder of Taller Bloc in Santiago, Chile, holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the University of Notre Dame (Indiana, USA), a Postgraduate Diploma, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. He has exhibited individually and collectively in Argentina, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Chile, the United States, France, Israel, and England. Since 2003, he has received numerous awards and grants, including: Honorable Mention, Ch.ACO Competition – Finland (Santiago, Chile, 2014); AMA Grant (Santiago, Chile, 2008); and the Scope Emerging Artist Grant from the Scope Foundation (New York, USA, 2006). 1984 Foundation Fellowship, Ancient Greek Architecture Study Project directed by Robin F. Rhodes (Ancient Corinth, GR, 2004), The Outstanding Student Achievement Award, Sculpture Magazine (New Jersey, US, 2005), Graduate Fellowship Teaching Assistantship, University of Notre Dame (Indiana, USA, 2003). He is currently teaching sculpture, as a Visiting Professor, at the University of Notre Dame.
Website: www.tomasrivaspalma.com
Instagram handle: @tomasrivaspalma
