Autobiography I - Luis Felipe Passalacqua - Blind Sculptor - Puerto Rico

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Autobiography I - Luis Felipe Passalacqua - Blind Sculptor - Puerto Rico
Luis Felipe Passalacqua, Puerto Rico’s first and only blind sculptor, was born in Santurce and raised in his family’s ranch in Guaynabo. He studied at Sacred Heart University, receiving a Baccalaureate in Sciences, concentration in Pre-Med. His passion for the arts and sciences since he was very young compelled him to get a Post Baccalaureate degree in Medical Illustration from Ohio State University in Columbus. In 1990, he established his own medical and scientific illustration company, Worldwide Biomedic Images. By the end of 1995, he loses his eyesight because of a meningitis that almost cost him his life. Hopeless, his family brings him back to Puerto Rico in 1996, but after overcoming the crisis he continued as an artist, studying sculpture at the Arts League of San Juan and later at the Plastic Arts School, as their first blind student. In 2001, he begins a professional career as a sculptor, motivational speaker, arts professor, museum accessibility consultant and writer, publishing his autobiography in 2014, followed by two self-help books. Luis Felipe has offered multiple individual and collective exhibitions in and outside of Puerto Rico. He has represented the island in international art festivals and received several recognitions during his career.
Luis Felipe Passalacqua, primer y único escultor ciego de Puerto Rico, nace en Santurce y se cría en la finca de su familia en Guaynabo. Estudia en la Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, donde se gradúa con un bachillerato en ciencias, concentración en pre-médica. Su pasión por las artes y las ciencias desde muy pequeño le lleva a especializarse en el campo de la Ilustración Médica, graduándose así de la Universidad de Ohio State, en Columbus. Para el 1990 funda su compañía de ilustraciones médicas y científicas, “Worldwide Biomedic Images.” En el 1995 pierde su vista a causa de una meningitis que casi le cuesta la vida. Desahuciado, su familia le trae de vuelta a Puerto Rico en el 1996 y luego de sobrepasar la crisis, ingresa como estudiante de escultura en la Liga de Arte de San Juan y luego en la Escuela de Artes Plásticas, siendo su primer estudiante ciego. A partir del 2001, comienza su carrera profesional como escultor, conferenciante, consultor en accesibilidad a museos y escritor, publicando su autobiografía titulada, “él” en el 2014. Ha realizado múltiples exposiciones individuales y colectivas en y fuera de Puerto Rico. Durante su carrera ha representado la isla en festivales de arte internacionales y recibido diversos reconocimientos, incluyendo el premio Gloria Alonso 2006 (Futuros Inc.) al ciudadano con impedimentos del año.