Interview with David Perez Montes by Edmee Cappas
August of 2008 in Caguas, Puerto Rico
A lifetime of working in the stone business in all facets in California, Arizona, Texas and the Virgin Islands, David Perez Montes returned to his beloved Puerto Rico where it all began. As is typical on the island, David is a part of a very closely-knit family. With parents, brothers and sisters as his neighbors he has a network of support that surpasses any he had when abroad.
As we walk toward the home he built next to his parent’s home we continue through a walkway leading under his home, this area renders a wide expanse of open space with pillars holding up his house. It is in this space that David at all hours of the day and night turns stone into art. Although he does not limit his talents to art pieces, he applies an artistic touch to the stone counters, sinks and tables he creates. Having at his disposal an array of ocean and leaf impressions, he meticulously recreates them through carvings in his one of a kind artwork.
As we go back up the walkway he explains how some of his pieces by virtue of their weight are permanently displayed. One such piece is a totem like pole of stone depicting the engraved faces of the three kings. He smiles and claims that art is not seasonal, the piece stays there all year long. The stairs leading up to his home are also made of stone with the edges kept in their natural state of design and continue through to his front door. Before entering he points to a design of a small boy and how the piece were made especially for his son. In entering the home you are greeted by Gallery style pieces of faces, bust of horses along with fish impressions that seem fossilized on the stone, leaf impressions that will never wither up and die and the recreation of Taino petroglifo symbols. However, a common impression begins to emerge as you see sail boats in different sizes and styles, as he permanently engraved his passion for sailing. David pointed out how each stone in it has beauty and he works with it respecting its natural state. The various names of each stone formation flows from his mouth as he demonstrates an intimate knowledge of each piece expressing how coral is his favorite since it is native to the island. As artistic guides he uses the islands natural state, for symbols indigenous to the island he refers to the cultural writings of Nelson Rafael Collazo, where each symbol is identified and it’s meaning expressed. David maintains the importance of using the islands natural stone resources with respect and to also let those resources guide one when making creations, as each piece develops it’s own unique characteristics.
One perspective that David Perez Montes would like to convey is his desire to be true to the history of the island and to respect the resources it provides. The need to keep the culture alive and present to the public is important to him as he explains “Our children have to be exposed to our culture, the Tainos, Africans, Los Jibaros, our history and to begin this in the home; every generation has a responsibility to ensure that it continues to be a part of their life. It’s also important that they understand we have a lot of different characteristics that make up what we are today, it doesn’t matter how artisan’s express it as long as it’s not forgotten.”
At the time of this writing David is currently one of many artisan that is working toward organizing their talents formally in the town of Caguas, Puerto Rico. You can write to him at HC-11 Box 47678 Caguas, Puerto Rico 00725
The 3 Kings (Epiphany) is celebrated in Puerto Rico on January 6. Traditionally the children take a small box and fill it with straw; it’s then placed under their beds on the eve of 3 kings. The straw is for the camels that bring the 3 kings to their home bearing gifts for the children or as they say young at heart..
August of 2008 in Caguas, Puerto Rico
A lifetime of working in the stone business in all facets in California, Arizona, Texas and the Virgin Islands, David Perez Montes returned to his beloved Puerto Rico where it all began. As is typical on the island, David is a part of a very closely-knit family. With parents, brothers and sisters as his neighbors he has a network of support that surpasses any he had when abroad.
As we walk toward the home he built next to his parent’s home we continue through a walkway leading under his home, this area renders a wide expanse of open space with pillars holding up his house. It is in this space that David at all hours of the day and night turns stone into art. Although he does not limit his talents to art pieces, he applies an artistic touch to the stone counters, sinks and tables he creates. Having at his disposal an array of ocean and leaf impressions, he meticulously recreates them through carvings in his one of a kind artwork.
As we go back up the walkway he explains how some of his pieces by virtue of their weight are permanently displayed. One such piece is a totem like pole of stone depicting the engraved faces of the three kings. He smiles and claims that art is not seasonal, the piece stays there all year long. The stairs leading up to his home are also made of stone with the edges kept in their natural state of design and continue through to his front door. Before entering he points to a design of a small boy and how the piece were made especially for his son. In entering the home you are greeted by Gallery style pieces of faces, bust of horses along with fish impressions that seem fossilized on the stone, leaf impressions that will never wither up and die and the recreation of Taino petroglifo symbols. However, a common impression begins to emerge as you see sail boats in different sizes and styles, as he permanently engraved his passion for sailing. David pointed out how each stone in it has beauty and he works with it respecting its natural state. The various names of each stone formation flows from his mouth as he demonstrates an intimate knowledge of each piece expressing how coral is his favorite since it is native to the island. As artistic guides he uses the islands natural state, for symbols indigenous to the island he refers to the cultural writings of Nelson Rafael Collazo, where each symbol is identified and it’s meaning expressed. David maintains the importance of using the islands natural stone resources with respect and to also let those resources guide one when making creations, as each piece develops it’s own unique characteristics.
One perspective that David Perez Montes would like to convey is his desire to be true to the history of the island and to respect the resources it provides. The need to keep the culture alive and present to the public is important to him as he explains “Our children have to be exposed to our culture, the Tainos, Africans, Los Jibaros, our history and to begin this in the home; every generation has a responsibility to ensure that it continues to be a part of their life. It’s also important that they understand we have a lot of different characteristics that make up what we are today, it doesn’t matter how artisan’s express it as long as it’s not forgotten.”
At the time of this writing David is currently one of many artisan that is working toward organizing their talents formally in the town of Caguas, Puerto Rico. You can write to him at HC-11 Box 47678 Caguas, Puerto Rico 00725
The 3 Kings (Epiphany) is celebrated in Puerto Rico on January 6. Traditionally the children take a small box and fill it with straw; it’s then placed under their beds on the eve of 3 kings. The straw is for the camels that bring the 3 kings to their home bearing gifts for the children or as they say young at heart..
