Waves of Time: The Resilience of Castillo San Felipe del Morro

The  fortress stands as a symbol of defense, a guardian of San Juan, protecting against invasions for more than 400 years. As I created this piece, I was struck by how the  walls of El Morro not only have withstood the physical elements—the crashing  ocean waves —but also the metaphorical waves of time, conflict, and change. The  waves below represent the ongoing forces of nature that have long battered the coast but could never breach the fort’s defenses. Historically, this fortress has withstood attacks from sea powers like England and the Netherlands, yet it remains standing, a tribute to the resilience of its builders.  

The  dark skies swirling in abstraction above the fortress symbolize the uncertain and often dangerous times throughout which the fort has stood firm. The streaks of black in the sky represent the threats and challenges that seemed to loom over the fortress. I included these abstract, almost chaotic strokes to convey the turmoil that has passed over this stronghold throughout history—wars, political shifts, and cultural changes.  

What struck me most while creating this art was the interplay between the  blue and orange hues . The  blue tones represent the strength, cool resilience, and calm that the fortress has always exuded as it watches over the horizon, steadfast and immovable. The  orange glow , reminiscent of the setting sun, infuses the fortress with warmth and the memory of countless sunsets that have witnessed centuries of history. Together, these colors represent the emotional tension between endurance and the fleeting nature of time. The  orange light glowing on the fortress gives it a sense of life, as if history itself still pulses within its walls, keeping the stories of the past alive.  

I chose to feature the  abstract paint splashes because they represent the chaotic forces of history and time. These splashes seem to invade the image like ink, signifying how history is often written in moments of turmoil, but also how, despite that chaos, there is something timeless about the fortress itself.  

Historically,  Castillo San Felipe del Morro was built beginning in  1539 and completed over the next several decades. It is a testament to Spanish military architecture, designed to protect the Spanish Caribbean. The combination of artistic abstract elements with this formidable structure shows how, while empires may rise and fall, and despite the unpredictable nature of time and conflict, certain monuments—certain moments in history—remain unmoved and eternal.  

As I worked through this piece, I wanted to reflect on the idea of permanence amidst chaos, and how structures like this fortress have witnessed both the serenity of nature and the chaos of human conflict. It reminds us that history is alive in places like this, carved into stone, weathered by wind and water, and standing tall as a reminder of past strength and resilience.  

Through this work, I hope to connect viewers to the ongoing story of  El Morro —a fortress not just of stone, but of time and memory, where battles were fought, victories celebrated, and yet, it remains as steadfast as ever, a beacon of endurance.  

In my personal reflection, creating this artwork was about acknowledging the power of history, of standing strong against life’s turbulent forces, and finding beauty in resilience. The  San Juan National Historic Site is a place where you can feel the weight of history and the endurance of those who built and defended it, and I sought to capture that feeling in this artwork.