Monumental Flooding in Mamaroneck Captured By Local Artist

At first glance, Mamaroneck artist Piero Manrique’s mixed media works of Mamaroneck during the March 2007 flood are suggestive of an otherworldly, almost magical atmosphere, infused with bright spots of cosmic light that blur the remnants of a once familiar landscape.  The effects of the disaster slowly begin to become apparent and skew the viewer’s perspective of the landscape.

Describing the day after the March storm that flooded Mamaroneck as, “shocking,” Manrique, who was living in the area behind Mamaroneck High School at the time, trudged over to Fenimore and Waverly—camera in hand—under a flat grey sky that mirrored the general sense of gloom following the local disaster.

“The water was four feet high—I saw a big truck get stuck in the water.  It was surreal,” he said, describing boats gently bobbing in the floodwaters, transporting people out of their homes, which were engulfed in water.

Manrique explained his technique for his digital “Artectonic” works, which involved using photos of the flood as a foundation, and through a process of layering strips of tape, paint and sketches, he created a textural, almost three-dimensional aspect to the pieces.  The final product was topped off with a clear resin that gives the surface a shiny, glassy appearance, reminiscent of the overflow of water that is it’s theme.  

His Mamaroneck flood photographs were displayed at the Art Bazaar, a grass roots gallery that allows new or emerging artists to show their work on a "first-come, first-served" basis.

A native of Peru, Manrique moved to the States when he was 13 and attended Mamaroneck High School (MHS). 

“I wouldn’t be an artist if I stayed in Peru,” he said, stressing that the US was where “dreams come true.”

Despite the lack of opportunities in his native country, Manrique’s description of his childhood home—a concrete apartment building in the heart of Lima’s La Victoria District—conjures of memories of a rooftop view of the panorama of Peru’s natural landscape and the inspiration for future invention.

“The views were majestic,” he said, with a faraway look in his eyes, “the buildings disappeared in the distance.”

Manrique worked hard at MHS to distinguish himself as an artist.

“I just drew after school, I didn’t play any sports,” he said, continuing, “the school has an amazing art department—it really helped me develop [as an artist].”

He credits his teacher, Jon Murray, with shaping his interest in art and helping him to decide on a career path.  He studied fine arts at Purchase College, and eventually transferred to an architectural program at Parsons School of Design. 

Working in multiple forms has given Manrique a unique perspective. 

“It’s an image that’s already there—physically imprinted in nature,” he says, about the medium of photography. "[Painting] you come up with a vision that hasn’t been expressed in the real world.”

Drawing on his background in architecture and salsa dance, Manrique’s images draw on a deep knowledge of human form and anatomy, as well as the founding principles of structural design and the way in which these forms communicate with the natural and spiritual worlds. 

Manrique will be exhibiting his works at Pier 92 on 55th St. in Manhattan from Mar. 17-20, and at the Wainwright House in Rye from Mar. 27-May 25, with an opening reception on Mar. 27 from 3-5 p.m.

This Sunday, Mar. 6, an opening reception and auction will be held at the Fred Astaire Studio on 451 E. Boston Post Rd., Mamaroneck from 5-7 p.m., hosted by the Silva Gallery.  Manrique will auction off an original mixed media work created from his photograph of the 2007 Mamaroneck flood.  All proceeds will go the benefit the Westchester chapter of Habitat for Humanity.  The exhibition will be featured for the next week from Monday-Friday, 6-9 p.m.  All items are for sale.