Ritual and Reflection art exhibition at The Peninsula Chicago features the work of Carlos Rolón, an artist renowned for his multi-disciplinary practice. Rolón employs a diverse range of media to explore profound themes such as craft, ritual, beauty, spirituality, and identity, particularly in relation to art history and institutional contexts.

Born into a Puerto-Rican family and local to Chicago, Rolón’s background profoundly influences his art, allowing him to delve deeply into personal ideas and questions of inclusion, aspiration, and cultural identity. The pieces on display include vibrant tropical flora imagery, both printed and painted, inspired by the search for gold in the Caribbean during Spanish colonization. This imagery reflects the destruction of the beautiful landscape encountered by the Spaniards.

Additionally, the exhibition features intricate broken mirror wall pieces. These works draw inspiration from the iron designs used in fences and gates to protect homes in Puerto Rico, symbolizing ornamentation and decoration prevalent on the island. Collectively, these works create a reflective and immersive environment, inviting viewers to contemplate the intersections of personal heritage and contemporary artistic expression.