Cristal De La Cruz

I am deeply fascinated by the organisms in the ocean and their ecosystems and how we can learn and relate to them. Through freediving, I connect with this world—it’s where I feel both grounded and weightless at the same time.In these depths, the ocean’s presence feels enigmatic. It drives me to shape the intangible into sculptures and installations that reflect a world where beings evolve or gradually disappear.

My approach is guided by intuition and shaped by speculative elements based on untold tales of my Caribbean heritage, weaving together folklore, Caribbean cultural history and mythology. I see traditions, symbols, and rituals as a map that helps me create a dialogue connecting the new possibilities, grounding my ideas in something meaningful.

Studying the morphology of both living and extinct organisms, I shift between the mysteries of the ocean and my heritage. Using 3D software, I transform collected data into forms that explore the relationships between structure, color, and repetition. Working with materials such as minerals, silicone, wood, porcelain, and metal, I begin with their fluid, malleable states and transform them through my process into solid forms that reflect stories I wish to tell. For me, it’s about making intangible ideas feel real—something you can touch, hold, or simply feel through their presence.