On View: Carlito Rovira’s
Revolutionary Portraiture

We are honored to exhibit the revolutionary portraiture of Puerto Rican artist, Carlito Rovira — a brilliant artist-activist and one of the original 7 members of the NY chapter of the Young Lords — in our downstairs gallery space through the end of October!

Stop by the cinema Mon-Thurs after 3PM, Fri 11AM-5PM, or before any evening screening to check out the exhibition and learn about these historical figures who have fought oppression globally.

For purchase inquiries, please reach out to emilyapter@maysles.org or get in touch with the artist directly at carlitoboricua@yahoo.com.

Portraits of Malcolm X, Ida B. Well, John Brown, and Lolita Lebron by Carlos Rovira

Carlos Rovira – Artist

Carlos “Carlito” Rovira began as an artist in his early youth by doodling with number 2 pencils on paper. Carlito’s preliminary attraction started as an escape to compensate for his many learning difficulties in school.

Growing up in New York City’s Lower East Side, known today as Loisaida, Carlito was influenced by the political content of Barrio mural art of the 1960’s-70’s, which co-existed with the literary Nuyorican movement. 

Many beautiful murals were painted on old and abandoned tenement buildings in the neighborhood as well as in El Barrio (East Harlem). Many of these art projects touched upon themes as Puerto Rico’s anti-colonial struggle and the anti-racist fight against police brutality. Carlito met many artists during this period that would define his technique as a visual artist.

In 1969, at the age of 14, with his parent’s encouragement, Carlito became one of the original members of the Young Lords in New York. As a result of that experience, his world perspective became anchored on socialism and Puerto Rican national liberation. His political convictions served as the setting for his further development as an artist.

However, it was not until several years later when personal hardship from trauma occurred in 1984 in which he was incarcerated. Once in prison, he met a fellow inmate named Rex Sanders who taught him the techniques and principles of portraitures. For nearly four decades, Carlito has learned to master portraiture art with acrylic paint. He has painted the imagery of many revolutionaries representing struggles of oppressed people throughout the world.

Carlito Rovira’s aim as a visual artist is to give grandeur to the freedom fighters of exploited people who would otherwise not receive it under the present social, economic & political system. He has vowed to use the talents he learned under difficult conditions against the system that once incarcerated him. Carlito uses his medium via art to encourage people, especially the youth, to learn and explore the ideals of revolutionaries throughout history.