Much like in his beloved Puerto Rico, where the island’s dreams and promises often unfold or not, beneath the swaying palm trees, Pérez transports us to the sun-soaked south of France, where the allure of these towering palms becomes a symbol of the region’s identity. Whether those promises manifest or remain in the realm of imagination is irrelevant, for under the palm trees, all dreams are carefully crafted to override any inconvenient realities.

In Pérez’s art, these clichés morph into a powerful representation of our collective identity. Just as in Puerto Rico, where touristy commercial images of resorts, luxury, sensuality, and spirits mirror a complex colonial history and contemporary existence, the artist’s work challenges us to embrace the multifaceted nature of our own identities.

Enter a world where Pérez’s paintings of rum bottles are both, classical still life and American pop art. With an elaborate and poignant touch, he explores the paradoxical allure of these images. The promises that these rum advertisements imply did not made him popular, wealthy, or joyful, but still he loves them and identifies them as his very own. In a way, it’s a journey akin to Stockholm Syndrome, where the captive falls in love with their captor, albeit in this case, it’s the seductive power of these commercial clichés that captivates our imaginations.