Arte dominicano contemporaneo: Self-deprecation in transnational and multicultural island visions

This thesis analyzes the kindred cultural and aesthetic approaches fashioned by contemporary Dominican artists who dwell on the islands of the Dominican Republic and New York City. Though tied to their roots in the Dominican Republic, these artists compose divergent images. The artistic and cultural history of the Dominican Republic is examined in order to understand the complex social issues of racial-ethnic identity, hybridity, and cultural assimilation. These issues are mirrored in their fractured images.;Through the investigation of works by Polibio Diaz and Elia Alba, I present what I perceive to be an inherent racial conflict. I discern the effects of Dominican cultural aesthetics on the reconfiguration of identity. This is prevalent for Dominicans on both islands. The close examination of their contemporary works fosters an understanding of Dominican aesthetic interpretations and perceptions.