Home is where the art is

By Meghan Daly, Candice Matthews and Chuck McLaughlin

For Danny Torres, 1988 was an important year. It was during this time that he left behind something that he had always known and loved: his homeland of Puerto Rico.                                                                                                                The Puerto Rican government sponsored Torres’s move to Philadelphia so he could create a mural exhibiting the Puerto Rican prisoners of war. 

Today, he still considers the place where he painted his first mural, located on 7th and Venango streets, his art studio.

The small island of Puerto Rico was not only Torres’s home since he was born in 1960, but it was also the place that inspired him to become an artist. The natural landscape of Puerto Rico, including the lush mountains, hidden fresh water ponds and beautiful seascapes allowed Torres to express his homeland through his artwork.

Torres discovered his love for art when he was only 3. After visiting his sister in Puerto Rico several years ago, he came across a drawing, dated from 1963.  This particular work of art signified his intense passion for visual expression at a young age.  Torres recognizes the value that the drawing now holds, “I would not sell that drawing for millions. And trust me, I need millions.”

But life in Puerto Rico was not always easy for Torres.  He was somewhat of a rebel in middle school and fell into the trap of following the wrong crowd.  During the day, Torres and his peers would steal liquor from the local grocery store. As a result, Torres experienced academic difficulties. Many of his friends succumbed to a life of drugs, like LSD and cocaine, as well as alcohol, which led to their deaths.  However, Torres never neglected his appreciation of art. “Art saved me,” he said.

At the young age of 20, Torres was fortunate enough to receive a teaching position at the University of Puerto Rico. Although he did not have any formal education, officials at the institution recognized his artistic capability. Here, Torres taught several workshops which fostered the innate talents of young people. One of these young individuals, Julio, is now an employee of a North Philadelphia music store. Torres and Julio are still in close contact because this store features several of Torres’ works.

Like the way art saved Torres, he tries to enlighten other children through art workshops.  “I love to teach and I can use the art I have learned over the years to teach young people now,” he said.

Now, the father of four daughters and grandfather of five grandchildren, Torres is able to share his love for art with younger generations. Although he does not pressure his family to pursue art, he strives for them to recognize the beauty of his craft.

Torres expresses his devotion to his home country. His paintings, nostalgic, yet political, vividly depict landscapes and certain figureheads from Puerto Rico. One of Torres’ most prized works is proudly displayed on one of his studio walls. He describes it as his home village, where he spent his childhood. This intricate painting contains meaningful places, which might be overlooked by the viewer. However, these places have contributed to the person Torres is today. Torres used rich, natural colors, for the painting that details certain locations, including his first home, school and swimming area.

While he enjoys reminiscing through his paintings, Torres also focuses upon political aspects in his craft and uses his works to educate others. “I use my paintings to give history lessons,” Torres said. 

Today, the Spanish Conquistador painting is displayed in Centro Musical. Wilfredo Gonzalez, the owner of the popular neighborhood music store on Lehigh Avenue, values Torres’ creative productions. Recently, Gonzalez disappointed a visitor from Puerto Rico who wanted to purchase the Conquistador. The visitor offered double the original price, but Gonzalez would not budge. Torres promised the visitor that he would create a similar piece especially for him. Gonzalez proudly presents Torres’ paintings to customers in order to promote Torres to the community.

Torres’s friends recognize his dedication to his works.  Cristina Maria Gonzalez, daughter of Wilfredo Gonzalez, who also works in Centro, says she knows when Torres is busy at work.  A daily visitor to the store, Torres will go for days without communicating with anyone as he paints.  She acknowledges the intensity of his creativity and his passion for art.

Torres also leaves room for the imagination in his art. Torres’ paintings reveal the dreams he experiences at night. For instance, he often visualizes himself flying. This idea was incorporated in a recent work, which featured Torres soaring in the sky above an indigenous woman from his native country.  Whimsical and light-hearted, the painting reflects his inner thoughts.

Both images are apart of Torres' first commissioned mural in Philadelphia.

Torres completes all of these works at his studio in the North Philadelphia neighborhood. Although he sees social and economic improvement in the Hartranft community, he longs for his return back to Puerto Rico.

“When I came here in 1988 this neighborhood was like Vietnam,” he said, “there were a lot of abandoned cars and a lot of graffiti, but now things are changing for the better.”

Torres also explains that many Puerto Ricans temporarily move to the United States. During this move, they build their finances in order to return to Puerto Rico and purchase a small piece of land.

Torres’ artwork mirrors his inner passions for Puerto Rico and its landscapes, history, people, and culture.  Although he is living in a different country, his heart will always belong to Puerto Rico.

Torres describing his Conquistador painting in Centro Musical on the Golden Block.