I am Juan Butten, a multidisciplinary artist currently based in New York. My work spans various mediums, including drawing, sculpture, printmaking, and painting. In the Dominican Republic, I gained recognition for my abstract paintings and sculptural installations made from solid waste. I move fluidly between these forms, exploring the relationship between material, form, and meaning, always seeking to push the boundaries of artistic expression. One of my recent works, La Balsa, allowed me to transcend geographic borders and showcase my art internationally, continuing my exploration of how environmental and social issues shape contemporary artistic discourse. Born in Santo Domingo in 1975, my creative practice is deeply influenced by my cultural roots and personal experiences. I’ve evolved over time, merging these with global concerns like the environmental crisis. In the 1990s, I was active in the graffiti scene in Santo Domingo under the pseudonym “FASEUNO.” Graffiti had a lasting impact on my artistic language, helping me develop a unique urban realism in my work. I revived the name “FASEUNO” for my 2023 solo exhibition, held at the Centro Cultural in Santo Domingo, where I focused on a pressing environmental issue close to my heart: the plastic crisis. Following , I had the opportunity to expand my exploration in 2024, I presented Casas+Islas at the Punto Urban Art Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, from May to September.