Zaid Martinez Perez

My work inspired this painting; I currently work for a food justice non-profit organization in a youth program. We do various things, but this piece is focused on the kitchen, where we make added-value products for the market we have in place. But my piece also inspired the people around me. At first, it was the idea of developing a diverse, suitable, and equitable local food system where people of all incomes have economic opportunities no matter race, culture, nationality, identity, gender, age, sexuality, socioeconomic class, faith, abilities, and more. However, that was only the foundation during this creation; there was development to this painting. I came to spend more time with the other young artists during the art process, learning from them and learning about them. I learned about the diverse backgrounds they all came from. It came to a point where I was struggling to finish this piece. Time was ticking, and the deadline was approaching. “You need help.” Those three words changed to a different level, and once I knew it, the people I had just met a few weeks ago were right there to help. They are the reason I can display this art piece for you. The name “The Community” was for the ones that helped and gave this a true meaning of unity and community. From the day I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to now Buffalo, NY, there were people along the way t there were people along the way that helped me become who I am, from my father, who taught me the basics of art, to going to school pursuing my passion. My mother is the woman who gave birth to me and showed me compassion. My sibling, who taught me things that I hold dear to me, showed me the way through the importance of community, about the different people in your life that come together in one place, and you get to be involved in that which will make you grow.