José L. Santos’ new work features large, three-dimensional relief sculptural paintings that reflect his Portuguese cultural roots. The pieces incorporate imagery such as rosary beads, family members, hearts, thorns, Portuguese crosses, and self-portraits, among others. Santos draws inspiration from his personal family history, using photographs to create realistic images that capture the generational evolution of his family—from a time when they lived off the land in Portugal to the contemporary emotions of pain, struggle, and success experienced by those now living in Massachusetts.

In addition, join the Multicultural Arts Center (MAC) and History Cambridge for a special History Café on Friday August 22, 2025, celebrating the many immigrant communities that have shaped East Cambridge across generations. Experience this powerful exhibition, Pressing Against the Thorns by Portuguese-American artist José L. Santos, whose work honors the daily lives, resilience, and cultural legacy of immigrant families including Portuguese from the Azores and mainland, Brazilians, Cape Verdeans, and beyond. We will explore how the stories of these immigrant communities are woven into East Cambridge’s vibrant tapestry.