Note: This work of art is being sold under a Limited Commercial License for the entrepreneurial-minded.

This 12-second animated video represents the 'UNI' series — my attempt to reconnect with my ancestors in ancient times. 'UNI' is a word in the native language (Papiamento) of Aruba. It means 'united' in English. 'Drenta' (also a Papiamento word) means 'enter.'

With “Drenta,” we observe a variety of circles in their natural elements created with a natural material called annatto/achiote/rucu. All the small and large dots converge to create a larger circular shape that hearkens back to the spiritual element of the sun, honored by the ancestors of the ancients. While looking at the formation of dots, join me on this spirit journey to be united with the beyond.

The materials used are one square meter cotton canvas with a natural material that is called annatto (Bixa Orellana) in English or achiote in Spanish and rucu in Papiamento. The rucu is a seed that is used in crushed seed and powder form, mixed with a binder and white acrylic paint. The work also incorporates black paint marker.

I incorporated rucu in the work because it connects me with my Arawak/Caquetio ancestors. The material is considered sacred among indigenous peoples in South and Central America and the Caribbean and it has many usages, including medicine, rituals, body adornment, food, etc. In today's world, the material is used primarily as food dye, found from my own home to worldwide factories. (Every Aruban can tell you the story how Grandma always used to have some annatto seeds cooked in oil at the ready to add some natural color to a dish.).