Miguel Luciano transforms the image of the plantain or platano from a stereotype to an icon in his Pure Plantinum series. He explores this complex symbol of Caribbean culture, embedded with layered references to race and class, through associations with the exploitation of field laborers, and its pejorative use as slang for Puerto Rican and Dominican immigrants. An actual green plantain was cast in metal and plated with precious platinum, the giant-sized pendant hangs on a platinum chain and is displayed here as a precious object. It was also photographed in the window of King of Platinum, a store in Harlem, where it is presented as an emblematic token of respect. An object imbued with value in the context of today’s hyper-materialism.

The Pure Plantanium series is also being exhibited at CIRCA 06, San Juan, PR; Tropicalism: Subversion of Paradise, at the Jersey City Museum, Jersey City, NJ; and an upcoming solo exhibition at Cue Art Foundation in December. Miguel Luciano’s work has also been exhibited at Real Art Ways, Hartford CT; Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College, New York, NY; Taller Boricua, New York, NY, among others. He received a Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation Artist and Communities Grant with the Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia, PA, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Workspace Residency, and a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Painting. His has done a public art projects with the Newark Museum, Newark, NJ, and Vieques Peace Kites united Puerto Rican youth from Brooklyn, NY and Vieques, PR. He received his MFA from the University of Florida, and his BFA from the New World School of the Arts at the University of Florida.