BRIC House, the Brooklyn-based space for contemporary art, performing arts and community media programs, is currently displaying the work of influential Latino artist and Nuyorican cultural figure Juan Sánchez. His solo exhibit, ¿What's The Meaning of This?, opened on Nov. 6, and will continue through Dec. 27.

Sánchez, 61, is considered a pioneer and one of the greatest Nuyorican cultural figures of the late 20th century. His two-dimensional artwork inspects equality, race, class, cultural identity and independence, which is evident when viewing the 30 pieces featured in the ongoing exhibition. This is the first time mixed media collection will be presented in Brooklyn, where he was born and raised.

For decades, Sánchez, also Professor of Art / Painting, Photography, and Combined Media at Hunter College, has used his art as a tool for protest, resistance and demonstration. At the same time, he's utilized elements of contemporary Nuyorican culture: photographs, texts, abstract paintings and objects to generate geometric elements, rich symbolism, and textured, abstracted work.

"My mixed media paintings, works on paper and videos are visually layered and loaded," said Sánchez, according to press release. "I use various painting and collage techniques such as color, surface, photographic images, collage and text, through the complexity of visual, abstract, formal and conceptual language. I want to express in my art the cries, anguish, rebellion, struggle and the self-determination of a life affirming spirit."

Seven large-scale paintings from Sánchez's series, "Cries and Wounded Whispers," are included in the exhibition. Also, included is "Mariposas para las Hermanas Mirabal," a painting dedicated to the four Dominican women who moved against Dictator Rafael Trujillo. The dark work employs the image of the butterfly as symbolism, a dollar bill that covers the eyes of a photographed woman, which is hung upside down to represent martyrdom.

Collaged pieces from Sánchez's Unknown Boricuas series is represented at the exhibition, including the mournful visual piece, "Poema para Mami: Missing You." The art pays homage to the artist's mother, and includes a photo of her feet, framed lace, handwritten messages and a Catholic prayer card.

"So many artists have looked to Juan Sánchez as a mentor and model of a socially committed artist," Elizabeth Ferrer, Vice President, Contemporary Art at BRIC, said in a statement. "We are honored to present this selection of highly accomplished work by the artist, which brings forth themes of deep political, social, and cultural significance."

Sánchez's work has appeared at Whitney Museum of American Art; El Museo del Barrio; the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Smithsonian Museum of American; the Museum of Modern Art; the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a number of other galleries. Additionally, he's received fellowships and grants from New York Foundation for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, John Simon Guggenheim Foundation and the Joan Mitchel Foundation.

The gallery hours for BRIC (647 Fulton Street) are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, their hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and they're closed Mondays. Admission is free.

On Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. BRIC will welcome Susie Ibarra, who will perform "Madre Selva."

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