To the north
2024, Oil on Canvas with Gold leaf, 137 × 139 cm - Triptych
© Heyder Reyes
The triptych reflects the journey of three brothers, encapsulating the complexity and emotions of migration.
The work combines powerful symbols that explore themes of displacement, strength and purity.
On the left, a young man has a tattoo of a snake, a symbol of resilience and strength.
The reptile has the ability to overcome adversity and survive in inhospitable places, representing the tenacity and perseverance necessary to face the challenges of the path to be taken.
In the center, a young woman holds a lamb in her arms, a symbol of innocence, purity and naivety.
She symbolizes the human essence in its most vulnerable form, representing hope and faith, both intact in the face of uncertainty.
On the right, a young man has a swallow tattooed, a symbol of migration and travel.
This tattoo evokes the innate impulse to seek a new horizon, to fly towards the unknown in search of better opportunities and a more promising future.
Together, these three characters form a cohesive narrative that addresses the migration experience from different angles:
- The need.
- The impulse.
- The hope.
“To the north” is a tribute to human strength and family connection in the context of migration, capturing the essence of the physical and emotional journeys undertaken by those in search of a new beginning.
– Heyder Reyes, 2024
Willpower
2024, Oil on Canvas with Silver leaf, 101 × 127 cm
© Heyder Reyes
We Cubans have a totally different way of seeing the world. Because of our mix of cultures, we have a unique style of expressing ourselves. An example of this is a friend of mine who, expressing himself in a very Cuban way, told me: “My brother, I am a horse, I am an animal.”
It is a phrase used to refer to the fact that, despite all the complexity of a situation, one always comes out a winner or victorious, or simply that one can overcome the problems to come.
Upon hearing my friend's story, I discovered that it had a lot to do with the journey I made.
In this painting I place my friend next to a horse, symbolizing his will. The small red handkerchief on his back symbolizes the sacrifice and the problems faced along the way. The thread in his hands symbolizes the ability to overcome entanglements or obstacles.
With Willpower I delve into the essence of the internal struggle, through an image inspired by the words of a friend, the same ones which emerged in a message during a day of venting and sincere confessions.
This work encapsulates the experience of those whose strength and determination are reflected in the figure of a horse.
This majestic animal, a symbol of resistance, nobility and freedom, becomes the living metaphor of unbreakable tenacity in the face of life's challenges. The pure energy and indomitable spirit of the horse are the mirror of that constant search to overcome all kinds of obstacles, revealing the nobility of human willpower in its purest state.
– Heyder Reyes, 2024
Soul support
2024, Oil on Canvas with Silver leaf, 91 × 91 cm
© Heyder Reyes
The work is the reflection of a very personal feeling. The conception of this image came to me after emigrating to the United States, leaving behind my girlfriend, a relationship of more than 14 years, having as an obstacle the sea, 90 miles away and political circumstances that do not allow our reunion.
The title is not chosen at random, loneliness teaches us the importance of love, having someone who understands you, who encourages you and supports you at all times. Soul Support is the very desire to have someone you can trust and feel safe in the most difficult moments.
It is a visual love letter, it is my way of telling her that together we can overcome everything, that I am here, that I am not forgetting her, that despite everything, I will continue to wait, to have her with me, to be together.
The work shows two bodies submerged in a vast ocean, symbolizing soul mates whose love transcends the barriers of distance.
These bodies represent the strength and determination of those who, despite challenges, remain steadfast in their course towards a common destiny.
The sea, with its unfathomable depth and infinite vastness of mystery and uncertainty, together with the instability of its tides, reflect the existence in life of ups and downs, joys and sorrows. These elements test the endurance and commitment of two people when they love each other, who navigate with the certainty that they will eventually meet on the shore.
The painting expresses the struggle and hope that support and sustain a love capable of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
– Heyder Reyes, 2024